Freestyle World Cup

Wrestling Announces Groups for 2019 Freestyle World Cup

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 11) – United World Wrestling has announced the draw for the 2019 Freestyle World Cup Yakutia, Russia. The annual dual-meet event is a highlight of the international wrestling calendar and features the top eight teams from the 2018 World Championships in Budapest. 

The UWW executive board determined this week that all World Cup competitions, including the Greco-Roman and Women’s World Cupshould follow the same competition format for placement of teams in their respective pools, or groups. With the new system, the No. 1 team will be paired with the No.4No.5, and No.8teams from the world championships. 

The No.2 team will in a group with the No.3No.6, and No.7.

The groups for the 2019 Freestyle World Cup:

Group A - RUS (1), CUB (4), JPN (5), TUR (8)
Group B - USA (2), GEO (3), IRI (6), MGL (7)

In Group A, world champion Russia will look to recapture the World Cup team title after the United States won the 2018 Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa. To earn top-billing in 2019 the home side will need to win their group which includes a resurgent Cuban team, Japan, and Turkey. 

The United States heads up Group B but faces steep competition from a Georgia squad rife with former world and Olympic champions, including two-time defending heavyweight world champion Geno PETRIASHVILLI. A young Iranian team and ever-improving Mongolia squad fill out Group B. 

The match-by-match dual schedule and medal rounds have yet to be determined.

The international wrestling calendar picks back up Feb. 23in Gyor, Hungary, with the Hungarian Grand Prix, the second stop in the Greco-Roman Ranking Series calendar.

Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 1

By United World Wrestling Press

Watch Freestyle World Cup Live Stream

7:54 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) edged Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 3-3 on criteria to give Kazakhstan its first and only win in the dual meet. Azerbaijan defeats Kazakhstan 9-1. 

7:44 p.m.  Roman BAKIROV (AZE) edged Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)  3-2 at 97kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 9-0. 

7:32 Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) cruised to a technical fall over Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) at 92kg, giving Azerbaijan an 8-0 lead with two matches remaining. 

7:25 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) topped Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 3-0 at 86 kg. 

7:24 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) shut out Singh PUSHPENDER (IND) 5-0 at 125kg to give Georgia an 8-2 victory over India. 

7:16 p.m. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) kept Azerbaijan's shutout in tact as he defeated Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) 8-1 at 79kg. 

7:15 p.m. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) claimed a technical fall victory over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg. 

7:13 p.m. Davit KHUTSISHVILI (86kg) and Dato MARSAGISHVILI (92kg) picked up victories for Georgia to extend their lead over India to 6-2. 

7:06 p.m. Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) edged Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 2-1 at 74kg to give Azerbaijan a 5-0 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

6:58 p.m. Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) was dominant in picking up an 11-1 technical fall over Sachin GIRI (IND) at 79kg.

6:54 p.m. Azerbaijan extended its lead to 4-0 as Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) shut out Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) 7-0 at 70kg. 

6:51 p.m. Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) cruised to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND) at 74kg. 

6:48 p.m.  Three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) topped Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) to put Azerbaijan up 3-0. 

6:45 p.m. Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) picked up a win for Georgia over Kumar ARUN (IND) to even up the dual meet at 2-2. 

6:37 p.m. Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) won a thrilling match over Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) at 61kg to give Azerbaijan a 2-0 lead. 

6:32 p.m. Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) picked up a victory by injury default over Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg, giving India a 2-1 lead. 

6:27 p.m. Sandeep TOMAR (IND) put India on the board with a 4-1 win over Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) at 61kg. 

6:24 p.m. Afgan KHASHALOV (AZE) cruised to an 8-1 victory over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg. 

6:14 p.m. Georgia received a forfeit over India in the first match at 57kg. 

6:03 p.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) used a late takedown to secure a comeback victory on criteria over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) at 125 kg. Cuba picks up the 7-3 victory in the dual meet. 

5:53 p.m. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (Cuba) was impressive in picking up a technical fall over Batzul Ulziisaikhan (Mongolia) 11-1 at 97kg. The victory put Cuba up 7-2 heading into the final match. 

5:45 p.m. Lazaro Daniel HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) came from behind late to defeat Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (MGL) 4-3 at 92kg. Cuba now leads 6-2 with two matches remaining. 

5:36 p.m. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) gave Cuba a 5-2 lead as he edged Uitumen Orgodol (MGL) 3-2 at 86kg. 

5:24 p.m. Mongolia picked up a much-needed win at 79kg as Iderkhuu Gantulga (MGL) used a big move to secure a fall over Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES (Cuba). The victory cut the deficit to 4-2. 

5:14 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) edged Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL) 3-3 on criteria at 74kg to give Cuba a 4-1 lead. 

5:02 p.m. Cuba made it three victories in a row as Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) topped Ganbayar Sanjaa (MGL) 5-3 at 70kg. 

4:52 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) used a five-point throw to earn an 11-0 technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg.  The victory puts Cuba up 2-1 in the dual meet. 

4:47 p.m. Multiple-time world medalist Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) used a late four-point throw to defeat Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (Mongolia) 6-4 at 61kg to even the dual meet score at 1-1. 

4:36: Bakhbayar Erdenebat (MGL) gave Mongolia an early lead as he topped Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (Cuba) 4-0 in the opening match at 57kg. 

4:21 p.m. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), a returning world bronze medalist, closed out the dual meet with a 10-0 technical fall over Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN). USA picks up a 7-3 dual meet victory over Japan. 

4:07 p.m. Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) used five takedowns to pick up a first-period technical fall over Taira SONODA (JPN) at 97kg. The victory gives USA a 6-3 lead with one match remaining. 

4:03 p.m. Olympic and world bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) rolled an 11-0 technical fall over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) at 92kg, giving USA a 5-3 lead with two matches to go. Cox scored first off a passivity before breaking the match open late in the first period with four consecutive exposures to go up 9-0. He ended the match early in the second period with a takedown. 

3:55 p.m. David TAYLOR (USA) gave USA its first lead of the dual meet as he picked up a 12-2 technical fall over Masao MATSUSAKA (JPN) at 86kg. The match was competitive early after the two wrestlers traded takedowns, but it was all Taylor the rest of the way, as he dominated with takedowns and turns. 

3:47 p.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) claimed a dominant 10-0 victory by technical fall over 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) at 79kg. Dake grabbed an early lead off a passivity in the first period. Then in the second period Dake put the match away with two consecutive four-point throws. Japan challenged the final throw, but the call was upheld, giving Dake the technical fall, which evened the dual at 3-3. 

3:37 p.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, gave up the first point against world bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) at 74 kg, but dominated the rest of the way. After Fujinami scored off a passivity in the first period, Burroughs scored seven unanswered points to win the match 7-1 and cut USA's deficit to 3-2 midway through the dual meet. 

3:25 p.m. Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) gave the Americans their first victory. He held on to defeat Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) 8-5. Green jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on the strength of a two-point takedown and a four-point takedown. Kinoshita inched closer in the second period after a takedown on the edge of the mat, which cut the deficit to three. But Green was able to hold on for the victory. 

3:12 p.m. 2015 cadet world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) kept the momentum on Japan's side as he defeated past world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) 10-5 at 65kg. Otoguro scored four first-period takedowns, nearly ending the match in the first period, but Stieber battled back and cut the deficit to 8-4 at one point. Otoguro scored a takedown with 1:19 remaining and hung on for the win to give Japan a 3-0 lead. 

2:58 p.m. Asian silver medalist Kazuya KOYANAGI (JPN) edged Kendric MAPLE (USA) 2-2 on criteria at 61kg. Koyanagi scored in the first period off a passivity to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Maple battled back in the second period, scoring twice off passivity to grab the lead. Koyanagi came back with a step out to take the criteria lead. In the closing moments of the match Maple was awarded a takedown to take a 4-2 lead. However, Japan challenged the call and it was overturned, giving Koyanagi the criteria victory and Japan a 2-0 lead. 

2:45 p.m. In one of the most anticipated matchups of today -- a rematch of last year's World championship match at 57kg -- Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) defeated Thomas GILMAN (USA) 4-1. Gilman scored first off a passivity in the opening period, but Takahashi scored two takedowns in the final 1:30 to take the victory, giving Japan the early 1-0 lead in the dual meet.

1:31 p.m. The next dual meet is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and pits USA vs. Japan. 

1:28 p.m. Four-time European medalist Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) closed out the dual meet with a 3-2 victory over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB). Azerbaijan takes the dual meet 8-2.

1:18 p.m. Roman BAKIROV (AZE) controlled three-time world medalist Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) from start to finish, winning 3-0 at 97kg. Heading into the final match, Azerbaijan leads Cuba 7-2. 


1:09 p.m. World bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) clinched the dual meet victory for Azerbaijan with a victory at 92kg. He claimed a 7-4 win over Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) in an action-filled match, giving Azerbaijan its sixth win of the dual meet with two matches remaining. 

1 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) made it three straight victories for Georgia as he defeated Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) 3-2 at 125kg. But it was too little too late as Japan took the dual meet victory, 7-3. 

12:59 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) scored a late takedown to pull out a 3-2 victory over Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) at 86kg. The victory pushed Azerbaijan's lead to 5-2 with three matches remaining. 

12:51 p.m. Junior world silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVI (GEO) gave Georgia its second victory of the dual meet as he dominated YAMAGUCHI (JPN) at 97kg. Japan leads 7-2 with one match remaining. 

12:50 p.m. Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) picked up a quick 10-0 technical fall over Yoan ZULUETA MORALES (CUB) at 79kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 4-2. 


12:45 p.m. Multiple-time world/Olympic medalist Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) gave Cuba a much-needed win at 74kg. He topped Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) 6-2. 

12:41 p.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) gave Georgia its first victory against Japan as he dominated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 10-0 at 92kg. 

12:32 p.m. Japan kept its shutout in tact as Shota SHIRAI (JPN) shut out Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 6-0 at 86kg. 

12:30 p.m. Three-time world military medalist Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) extended Azerbaijan's lead to 3-1 with a 7-3 victory over Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) at 70kg.

12:24 p.m. 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) gave Japan a 6-0 lead over Georgia after he claimed a technical fall (11-0) over Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) at 79kg.

12:20 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) picked up the biggest win of the day, earning a fall over three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 65 kg. The Cuban had built an 8-2 lead prior to the fall. Azerbaijan now holds a 2-1 lead after three matches.

12:17 p.m.  In a battle of world medalists, Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) dominated Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) 8-0 at 61kg. With the victory, Azerbaijan goes up 2-0 on Cuba. 

12:15 p.m. World bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) was impressive in a 13-2 victory over Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) at 74kg. Japan leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

12:07 p.m. European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVI (AZE) gave Azerbaijan an early lead as he topped Reineri ORTEGA (CUB)  7-5 at 57kg. Ortega came on late, but fell short. 

12:04 p.m. Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) held on to defeat Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) 10-8 in an action-filled match at 70kg. Japan extended its lead to 4-0 over Georgia.

11:52 a.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) closed out the 6-4 dual meet victory for Mongolia with a 12-2 technical fall over Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) at 125kg. 

11:50 a.m. Junior world bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) used a late rally to defeat Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg. Takatani was trailing 4-1 until the final minute before using a series of turns to get the 7-4 comeback victory. Japan goes up 3-0 in the dual meet. 

11:42 a.m. In a wild, back-and-forth match, Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) defeated Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) 7-5 at 97kg to give Mongolia a 5-4 lead with one match remaining. 

11:41 a.m.  Another world champion for Japan (U23) Rinya NAKAMURA topped Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) 9-2 at 61kg to give Japan a 2-0 lead. 


11:33 a.m. Returning world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) started slowly, but turned it up late and claimed a 10-0 technical fall over Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) at 57 to give Japan a 1-0 lead. 

11:32 a.m. Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) picked up a key victory for Kazakhstan, edging Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) 2-1 at 92kg, making the dual meet score 4-4 with two matches to go.

11:24 a.m. The dual meet between Japan and Georgia is underway on Mat A. 

11:19 a.m. Mongolia retook the lead (4-3) after Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) notched a 6-4 victory over Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) at 86kg.  

11:11 a.m. Past junior world champ Dom BRADLEY (USA) closed out the 10-0 dual meet victory for the Americans with a 10-0 technical fall over Singh PUSHPENDER (IND). Bradley used a big four-point move early in the match to pace him to the victory. 

11:10 a.m. Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) built an 11-1 lead before securing a fall over Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) at 79kg. The victory tied the dual meet at 3-3. 

11:06 a.m. Olympic champ Kyle SNYDER (USA) cruised to a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg, closing the match with a gut wrench. The Americans take a 9-0 lead with one match to go.

11:02 a.m.  Hayden ZILLMER (USA) shut out past cadet world champion Deepak PUNIA (IND) 7-0 at 92kg to put USA up 8-0.

11:01 a.m. Olympic fifth-place finisher Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) blanked Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 9-0 at 74kg to give Mongolia a 3-2 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

10:50 a.m. David TAYLOR (USA) followed up Dake's impressive performance with an impressive performance of his own, claiming a first-period technical fall over Pawan KUMAR (IND) at 86kg to give USA a 7-0 lead with three matches to go. 

10:48 a.m. Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) topped Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 4-1 to tie the dual meet up at 2-2. 


10:47 a.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) came out aggressively, using a four-point move followed by a turn to go up 6-0 at 79kg against Sachin GIRI (IND). Dake closed out the match with a technical fall a short time later. 

10:44 a.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), an Olympic champ and four-time world champ, led only 3-0 at the break, but opened it up in the second period and rolled to an 11-1 technical fall over Kumar VINOD (IND) at 74kg. USA leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

10:38 a.m. Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) secured a technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg to put Kazakhstan on the board. 

10:32 a.m.  Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) scored a four-point takedown with a double leg on his way to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar ARUN (IND) at 70kg. USA takes a 4-0 lead over India. 

10:28 a.m. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) edged Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) 2-1 at 61kg to give Mongolia a 2-0 lead after two matches.

10:24 a.m. Past world champ Logan STIEBER (USA) kept the momentum going for the Americans as he defeated Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) 12-2 at 65kg. Stieber finished the match with a series of gut wrenches. USA now leads India 3-0 after three matches. 

10:20 a.m. Joseph COLON (USA) came back to top 2017 world seventh-place finisher Sandeep TOMAR (IND) 6-4 at 61kg. Tomar built a 4-0 lead before Colon battled back to secure the victory and give USA a 2-0 team lead. 

10:18 a.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) picked up a 10-0 technical fall over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg to start the dual meet, giving Mongolia the 1-0. lead. 

10:09 a.m. World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) opens with a forfeit against India at 57kg. USA leads India 1-0. 

10:05 a.m. The first four nations competing are being introduced right now. 



9:29 a.m. Follow the action on Day 1 of the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, starting at 10 a.m. CT. United World Wrestling is providing a running notebook throughout the two-day event. The most recent updates will appear at the top. United States opens with India on Mat A, while Mongolia battles Kazakhstan on Mat B.