#WrestleUfa

Azerbaijan Stuns with 3 Wrestlers in Finals at #WrestleUfa

Monday, August 16, 2021 - 22:01 By Vinay Siwach

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UFA, Russia (August 16) – Two former world medalists were leading their nation's junior teams in Ufa but it was Jabrayil HASANOV's Azerbaijan that came out on top with three wrestlers reaching the final on the first day of the Junior World Championships Monday.

Abdulsalam GADISOV, the head coach of Russia, was disappointed with only two Russian wrestlers reaching the final out of the five possible in the freestyle weight classes. Iran and Turkey also had two wrestlers in the final while USA finished the lineup with one.

The Junior World Championships got underway with 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 97kg weight classes with Azerbaijan dominating its semifinals.

Azerbaijan were led by a strong performance by U23 and Junior European champion Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) who denied Stanislav SVINOBOEV (RUS) a spot in the 70kg final with a 6-1 win.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) entered the 70kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The former cadet world champion looked impressive throughout the day, winning his previous two bouts via technical superiority. He now has a chance to win his third title of the year.

“We came here to become champions. That’s the only goal I have,” Gadzhiev said. “All the opponents are really good, everything went well for me, we will keep working on our mistakes.”

He will be sure to not make any mistake when faces Erfan ELAHI (IRI), a silver medalist from the same cadet Worlds in 2019 as Gadzhiev won the gold in 65kg. He defeated Stanislav NOVAC (MDA) 8-3. He scored two stepouts to lead 2-0 but Novac scored a takedown.

Elahi then changed levels and scored a takedown and exposed Novac with an arm-trap to lead 6-2. Two more stepouts sealed the deal for him.

Another Azerbaijan-Iran bout will be held at 79kg as Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) will take on Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) in the final Tuesday.

Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI)Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) defeated Gourav BALIYAN (IND) in the 79kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While Nokhodilarimi had a strong 10-0 win over Gourav BALIYAN (IND) in the semifinal, Ashirov had some trouble before beating Makhambet NURZHAUBAYEV (KAZ) 11-3 in the last four.

Nokhodilarimi scored his 10-0 win in 3:31 seconds with a takedown and gut wrenches which gave him a 6-0 lead. His strength was far superior than Baliyan who gave up two more takedowns to lose.

In the other semifinal, Nurzhaubayev used a head lock to score two points and was ahead 4-3 but Ashirov came back strongly. He was awarded for caution and then he added a takedown and exposure to win 11-3.

But Ashirov said that wrestling the quarterfinal against Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) was harder than the semifinal.

“The match with Kyrgyz wrestler was much harder than the semifinal,” he said. “I just felt a bit more responsibility

“My Iranian opponent is good, we will have to analyse his wrestling. With the help of God we will win the gold medal tomorrow.”

Russia also denied Azerbaijan a chance to qualify for another final as Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) defeated Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) 7-0 in the semifinal at 57kg.The Russian has been guilty of underperforming at the international level but he stepped up his game Monday with a controlled win over Novruzov.

Ramazan BAGAVUDINOVRamazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) entered 57kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

He scored his first point via stepout before a double leg takedown gave him a 3-0 lead. A single-leg lift was converted into a takedown before he defended a double leg attack and countered for his own to win 7-0.

But he will face a dynamic wrestler in Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) who has outscored his opponents 28-4 in the tournament so far. The former Euro cadet silver medalist wrestled Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) in the semifinal and won 8-4.

Karavus began with a quick takedown and then showed some strong defence to counter the attacks from Khndzrtsyan and lead 6-0. In the second period, the Armenian shot a quick double leg and managed to get a takedown. He then went for a duck-under but Karavus was ready for it and exposed Khndzrtsyan to lead 8-2. A consolation takedown for the Armenian did not matter much.

“My opponent [Karavus] in the final match is a good wrestler,” Bagavudinov said. “He is very enduring and fast. I am pretty confident I don’t feel any pressure yet.”

Incidentally, Russia and Azerbaijan will face each other in the final at 65kg. Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) will wrestle Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) Tuesday in what can be a mouthwatering clash.

Shamil MAMEDOVShamil MAMEDOV (RUS) defeated Seyedhassan EBADIMERMETI (IRI) in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Bayramov defeated Beau BARTLETT (USA) 6-2 to advance while Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) had a tough day. He was trailing 0-5 against Seyedhassan EBADIMERMETI (IRI) before mounting a comeback and winning 14-8.

“I concentrated and won,” Mamedov said. “The semifinal was a bit tough. I was loosing 5-0, but then I pulled myself together and won it.”

On the other hand, after winning the European Championships, Bayramov wants to win his first World title as well.

“I am really excited becuase I was only European championships medalist and it’s the first time I’ll be in the world championship’s final. In final I’ll wrestle only for the gold medal,” Bayramov said.

The only final which does not have a name from Russia or Azerbaijan is the 97kg where Polat POLATCI (TUR) setup a final against Braxton AMOS (USA).

Polat POLATCI (TUR)Polat POLATCI (TUR) pulled off a big move at the buzzer against Ali ABDOLLAHI (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Polatci, son of Olympic champion Aydin POLATCI, scored a stunning exposure to beat the buzzer and claim a 9-8 win against Ali ABDOLLAHI (IRI). The Iran wrestler was leading throughout the bout and going into the last 10 seconds lead 8-7. But he dropped his guard in the final one second in which Polatci got an exposure from the chest lock. Abdollahi was calling for time expiration but when action finished there was still time left on the clock.

Polatci will face Amos who defeated DEEPAK (IND) 9-1 in a exciting way. Amos scored a takedown before a stepout and two more takedowns and win.

RESULTS: Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) vs Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR)

SF 1: Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) df Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 7-0
SF 2: Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) df Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS)

SF 1: Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Beau BARTLETT (USA), 6-2
SF 2: Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) df Seyedhassan EBADIMERMETI (IRI), 14-8

70kg
GOLD: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) vs Erfan ELAHI (IRI)

SF 1: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df Stanislav SVINOBOEV (RUS), 6-1
SF 2: Erfan ELAHI (IRI) df Stanislav NOVAC (MDA), 8-3

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) vs Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE)

SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) df Gourav BALIYAN (IND), 10-0
SF 2: Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) df Makhambet NURZHAUBAYEV (KAZ), 11-3

97kg
GOLD: Polat POLATCI (TUR) vs Braxton AMOS (USA)

SF 1: Polat POLATCI (TUR) df Ali ABDOLLAHI (IRI), 9-8
SF 2: Braxton AMOS (USA) df DEEPAK (IND), 9-1

#WrestleBelgrade

Women's Wrestling seeds announced for 2022 World Championships

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 - 14:09 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 23) – With only 17 days left until the 2022 World Championships (September 10-18), United World Wrestling has released the tentative top eight women's wrestling seeds.

The point-based seeds were determined by a wrestler's participation and placement at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, 2021 World Championships, 2022 Continental Championships, 2022 Ranking Series events, and selected Regional Games.

Although it's highly unlikely that the brackets play out exactly how their seeded, but if the seeds were to hold through the finals in the top-eight seeded system, here's how the bracket will look leading up to the gold-medal match:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 vs. No. 8 (top side)
No. 4 vs. No. 5 (top side)
No. 2 vs. No. 7 (bottom side)
No. 3 vs. No. 6 (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 vs. No. 4 (top side)
No. 2 vs. No. 3 (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 vs. No. 2 

*National Federations were required to submit their world entries by last week but can still update them until 24 hours before the draws. This means these seeds and entries are subject to change.

50kg seeds:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)
No. 2  Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
No. 3 Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL)
No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU)
No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL)
No. 6 Madison Bianca PARKS (CAN)
No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE)
No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)

If seeds hold at 50kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) (top side)
No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) vs. No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) (top side)
No. 2  Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE) (bottom side)
No. 3 Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) vs. No. 6 Madison PARKS (CAN) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) (top side)
No. 2  Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. No. 3 Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN)

Hildebrandt holds top seed at 50kg
Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) holds the top spot in the stacked 50kg bracket featuring four seeded wrestlers with world finals experience -- two of which are on the opposite side from the American.

Hildebrandt finished on the podium at the Olympic Games and World Championships before winning golds at the Pan-American Championships and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event en route to grabbing the No. 1 spot. Fortunately, she's on opposite sides of the bracket from reigning Olympic champion No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and four-time Olympic medalist No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Hildebrandt will share the top side of the bracket with No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) and No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL). The two-time world finalist will take on reigning European champion Demirhan in the quarterfinals, then will wrestle either two-time world silver medalist Vuc or Dolgorjav.

On the lower side, Susaki and Stadnik will meet in the quarterfinals in a rematch from the 2018 world finals and 2020 Tokyo Olympic semifinals. In those Budapest and Tokyo bouts, Susaki outscored Stadnik 21-0.

If Susaki picks up a third straight win over Stadnik, she'll meet the winner of No. 3 Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and No. 6 Madison PARKS (CAN).

53kg seeds:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)
No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN)
No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
No. 5 Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE)
No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)
No. 7 Dominique Olivia PARRISH (USA)
No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

If seeds hold at 53kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) (top side)
No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) vs. No. 5 Emma MALMGREN (SWE) (top side)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA) vs. No. 7 Dominique PARRISH (USA) (bottom side)
No. 3 Samantha STEWART (CAN) vs. No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)vs. No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)

Top-seeded Funjinami is riding a 103-match win streak in Belgrade 
Japan's 18-year-old phenom Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) headlines the seeds at 53kg. The reigning world champion heads into Belgrade riding a 103-match win streak and is looking to claim a second straight senior world title.

Fujinami will contend with veteran and two-time Olympian No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in the quarterfinals. Then, barring a meltdown, she'll meet either No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) or reigning European champion No. 5 Emma MALMGREN (SWE) for a spot in the finals.

On the bottom half of the 53kg chart, No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA) earned the second seed after her runner-up finish at last year's World Championships and back-to-back bronze-medal finishes at the Yasar Dogu and European Championships.

Leorda will have a tough quarterfinals match, as she's expected to take on reigning Pan-American champion No. 7 Dominique PARRISH (USA). If she can get past the American, she'll take a world bronze medalist in No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) or No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) in the semis.

Stewart is a reigning senior-level world bronze medalist, while Yetgil is a two-time U23 world bronze medal winner.

55kg seeds
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) 
No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU)
No. 4 Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA)
No. 5 Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL)
No. 6 Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND)
No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)

If seeds hold at 55kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) (top side)
No. 4 Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. No. 5 Roksana ZASINA (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) vs. No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) (bottom side)
No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) vs. No. 6 Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 4 Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA) (top side)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) vs. No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

Hemmer holds No. 1 seed at 55kg
Oslo world runner-up Nina HEMMER (GER) heads into the World Championships as the No. 1 seed at 55kg. In addition to her silver-medal finish at the World Championships, Hemmer also won the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event and finished in fourth place at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event.

Hemmer's quarterfinals opponent will be Bolat Turlykhanov Ranking Series champion No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ). However, her semifinal road will be significantly more challenging as she expected to meet '19 world champion No. 4 Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) or No. 5 Roksana ZASINA (POL).

On the lower side of the chart, Ukraine's next big thing Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), earned the second seed after her world bronze medal and European silver medal finish.

Khomenets' quarterfinal opponenet will be No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND). If the 19-year-old Ukrainian star wins that, she'll wrestle her European finals opponent No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) or Pan-American gold medalist No. 6 Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN).

57kg seeds: 
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)
No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX)
No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER)
No. 6 Mansi MANSI (IND)
No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR)
No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL)

If seeds hold at 57kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL) (top side)
No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX) vs. No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) (top side)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) (bottom side)
No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) vs. No. 6 Mansi MANSI (IND) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 4 Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA) (top side)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

Maroulis maintains top seed at 57kg
Helen MAROULIS (USA) nabbed the top seed at 57kg after winning world gold in Oslo and Olympic bronze in Tokyo last season. She also earned ranking points from her top-five finish at the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event.

Maroulis will have her hands full in the quarterfinals, as she'll wrestle against Poland's reigning U23 world champion No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL). If the Rio Olympic champ wins that match, she'll compete against Mexico's first-ever women's wrestling Olympian No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX) or No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER).

The lower side of the 57kg bracket received a shock earlier this week as reigning world and Asian silver medalist Anshu ANSHU (IND) underwent right elbow surgery. She was seeded No. 3 at the weight but is expected to be replaced by Mansi MANSI (IND), who moved into the No. 6 seed in Anshu's absence.

Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) owns the second seed on the bottom of the chart.

Nikovlova will have No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) in the quarterfinals. It'll be a rematch from the 2022 European finals, where the Ukrainian wrestler picked up a huge upset over the Bulgarian.

The winner of Nikovlova and Hrushyna Akobiia will take on the winner of No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and No. 6 Mansi.

59kg seeds:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL)
No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)
No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR)
No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER)

If seeds hold at 59kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) vs. No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER) (top side)
No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) vs. No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) (top side)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) (bottom side)
No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) vs. No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND)vs. No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) (top side)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) vs. No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)

Sarita storms to top seed at 59kg
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) proved she's one of the best wrestlers in the world at 59kg. Over the last year, she's only lost two matches. After losing at the World and Asian Championships, she fought back and won bronze medals. She also won Ranking Series titles at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup and Zouhaier Sghaier, which helped her earn the top billing at 59kg. 

Sarita sits on the top side of the bracket with No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER), No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) and No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA). If Sarita gets past Brugger, she'll likely have Nichita. Although Kolesnik is seeded higher, Nichita has been wrestling on another level this year.

Nachita is undefeated this season, winning U23 and Senior European titles to go along with her Yasar Dogu Ranking Series gold medal.

On the bottom side, Mongolia's Oslo world bronze medal winner Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) is seeded second. She'll wrestle No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) in the quarterfinals before meeting the winner of No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) and No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR).

62kg seeds:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA)
No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA)
No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR)
No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN)
No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
No. 8 Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER)

If seeds hold at 62kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER) (top side)
No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) vs. No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) (top side)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA) vs. No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) (bottom side)
No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) vs. No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) (top side)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA) vs. No. 3 Kayla MIRACLE (USA) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA)

Tynybekova takes 62kg top seed 
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) tops the 62kg bracket and has put herself in a prime position to win a third consecutive world title.

Tynybekova earned the No. 1 seed after a silver-medal finish at the Olympic Games, a world title in Oslo and a runner-up finish at the Asian Championships. She'll have to get through No. 8 Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) in the quarterfinals to set up a possible Asian finals rematch with No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN). 

Tynybekova injury defaulted out of their Asian finals and settled for second place.

For the Tynybekova and Ozaki rematch to happen, the Japanese wrestler has to get through European bronze medalist No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) in the quarterfinals. 

Lais NUNES (BRA) earned the nod for the second seed on the bottom side of the chart. She's arguably the most traveled wrestler in the world this season. She started the season off at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, where she scored a tech fall over top seeded Tynybekova. Then, she wrestled at the Pan-American Championships, Matteo Pellicone and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series events before wrapping up her pre-world championship tour at the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial.

Nunes will face No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) in the quarters. In their last meeting, the Brazilian fell to the Canadian in a back and forth 7-5 battle and went on to win a bronze medal, while Godinez went on to grab gold in Acapulco.

If Nunes can avenge that loss, she'll take on reigning world runner-up No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) or Rio Olympic bronze medalist No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN) in the semifinals.

65kg seeds:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU)
No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL)
No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)
No. 6 Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA)
No. 7 Asli DEMIR (TUR)
No. 8 Mallory Maxine VELTE (USA)

If seeds hold at 65kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 8 Mallory VELTE (USA) (top side)
No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) vs. No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) (top side)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. No. 7 Asli DEMIR (TUR) (bottom side)
No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) vs. No. 6 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 4 Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) (top side)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)

Morikawa secures No. 1 seeda at 65kg
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) heads into Belgrade possessing the top seed at 65kg. She won the Asian Championships earlier this year and a silver medal at last year's World Championships.

Morikawa's first seeded opponent will be No. 8 Mallory VELTE (USA), who she'll see in the quarterfinals. If she wins that match, she'll take on the winner of No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) and No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR).

On the bottom side, Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) is seeded second. She picked up the second seed after runner-up finishes at the European Championships and the Bolat Turlykhanov Ranking Series event. She'll wrestle No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) or No. 6 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) in the semifinals.

68kg seeds
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA)
No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)
No. 5 Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL)
No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA)
No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN)
No. 8 Pauline Denise LECARPENTIER (FRA)

If seeds hold at 68kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) (top side)
No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) vs. No. 5 Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) vs. No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN) (bottom side)
No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) vs. No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA K(GZ) vs. No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) (top side)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) vs. No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA K(GZ) vs. No. 2 Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)

Zhumanazarova gains top seed from Olympic champ Mensah Stock

Reigning world champ Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) seized the top seed at 68kg after four podium finishes at point-based events. After finishing in third place at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Kyrgyz star won gold at the Oslo World Championships. During her 2022 campaign, she picked up silver medals at the Yasar Dogu and Asian Championships.

Through her efforts in wrestling at point-based events, Zhumanazarova put herself on the opposite side of the bracket as Olympic medalists No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) and No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), and reigning 65kg world champion No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA).

Olympic champion Mensah Stock headlines the bottom side of the bracket as the second-seeded wrestler. She'll see No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN) in the quarters. Mensah fell to Zhou in the finals of Matteo Pellicone a few years ago. If she can avenge that loss, she'll take on the winner of Oborududu or Ringaci for a finals berth.

72kg seeds:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR)
No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN)
No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)
No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU)
No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND)
No. 7 Kendra Augustine Jocelyne DACHER (FRA)
No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)

If seeds hold at 72kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) (top side)
No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) vs. No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) (top side)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) vs. No. 7 Kendra Augustine Jocelyne DACHER (FRA) (bottom side)
No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN) vs. No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) (top side)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) vs. No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN)  (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR)

Bakbergenova bags top billing at 72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) bagged the top billing at 72kg after an undefeated 2022 season. After closing out last year as a world runner-up, the Kazakh won gold at the Asian Championships and picked up Ranking Series titles at the Yasar Dogu and Bolat Turlykhanov Cup.

Bakbergenova's first seeded opponent will come in the quarterfinals against No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR). Then, in the semifinals, she'll compete against the winner of No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) and No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU).

On the bottom side, it'll be No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) and No. 7 Kendra DACHER (FRA) in the quarterfinals. Then, the winner of that match will square off against the victor of No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND).

76kg seeds: 
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) 
No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST)
No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR)
No. 5 Francy RAEDELT (GER)
No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR)
No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT
No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU)

If seeds hold at 76kg:

Quarterfinals: 
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU) (top side)
No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs. No. 5 Francy RAEDELT (GER) (top side)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) vs. No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT ) bottom side)
No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST) vs. No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR) (bottom side)

Semifinals: 
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) (top side)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) vs. No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST)  (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY)

Medet Kyzy becomes third Kyrgyz wrestler to earn No. 1 seed 
In the absence of six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) picked up the No. 1 seed at 76kg. Since winning her world bronze medal in Oslo last year, Medet Kyzt has been on an absolute tear. She won golds at the U23 World and Asian Championships, Senior Asian Championships, and Bolat Trlykhanov and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series events.

Medet Kyzy's will wrestle No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU) in the quarterfinals. Then, barring something catastrophic, she'll likely wrestle former world champion No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) for a spot in the world finals. 

On the lower half of the bracket, the quarterfinals will feature a matchup of world bronze medalists, as No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) and No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT) will go toe-to-toe. The winner of that match will take on either European champion No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST) or No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR).