End of the year Greco-Roman rankings

Sunday, November 6, 2022 - 23:18 By Vinay Siwach

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 7) -- As the Greco-Roman season comes to an end, the rankings in all 10 weight classes have been locked up.

Wrestlers who competed at the World Championships, continental championships, Ranking Series events and select regional games have got the benefit of being active throughout the year.

The top three wrestlers in each weight class will receive prize money. However, it is reduced from the previous year as that was a combined amount for two years as no rankings were declared in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Here are the rankings in all 10 Greco-Roman weight classes.

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) finished at the top at 55kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

55kg
1. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) - $5000
2. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) - $3000
3. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) - $2000

The world and European titles were enough for Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) to climb up to the top spot in rankings at 55kg. The two-time world champion was previously ranked second but with the new rankings, he has 55000 points to jump and claim the prize money. He also participated in two ranking series events but that was at 60kg.

At both the European and World Championships, Tsurtsumia finished second to Azizli and that gave him only 45000 points from the two competitions. The second place at the European Championships was worth 8000 points while the silver in Belgrade was for 37000 points.

The third spot in the rankings at 55kg is taken by Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) after he won the bronze medal at the World Championships. In 2022, Ortikboev claimed bronze medals at the Asian Championships and the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup as well. The bronze at the Asians was worth 6500 points while one in Almaty gave him 5200 points, taking his tally to 42700 points.

World champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) reached the top at 60kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

60kg
1. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) - $5000
2. Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) - $3000
3. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) - $2000

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) was the Asian and World champion at 60kg which helped him take the top spot in the weight class. The run at the World Championships for the gold medal was worth 45000 points and the gold at Asians gave him 10000 points. His overall tally of 55000 points was 7000 points more than the second-placed Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL).

The two silver medals for Nazaryan in 2022 were enough for the youngster to help him finish second in the rankings. He lost to Kerem KAMAL (TUR) in the final of the European Championships and to Sharshenbekov in the world final. His silver in Belgrade got him 37000 points while the silver in Budapest was worth 11000 points.

The third spot in the 60kg rankings goes to Murad MAMMADOV (AZE). With 42500 points, Mammadov outplaced Kamal who could have finished second by winning a medal at the World Championships. Mammadov finished fifth at the Worlds to earn 25000 points but he also won gold at Matteo Pellicone and bronze at the European Championships to win a combined 17500 points.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) topped the rankings at 63kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

63kg
1. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) - $5000
2. Leri ABULADZE (GEO) - $3000
3. Sebastian NAD (SRB) - $2000

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) lost to Leri ABULADZE (GEO) in the European Championships final and finished with bronze at the World Championships to Abuladze's silver. Yet, Mammadov won the top spot with 55200 points while Abuladze managed 50000 points.

Mammadov began the season with a bronze medal in Istanbul for 5200 points before silver in Budapest for 11000 points. He then went to Matteo Pellicone and claim the gold gave him 8000 points. The bronze in Belgrade added 31000 points for him to take the top spot.

Abuladze, on the other hand, participated only in the World and European Championships, claiming 13000 points in Budapest and the other 37000 points in Belgrade.

World champion Sebastian NAD (SRB) takes third place with 45000 points, all of which came in Belgrade.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is ranked number one at 67kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

67kg
1. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) - $5000
2. Murat FIRAT (TUR) - $3000
3. Mate NEMES (SRB) - $2000

One of the most exciting talents out there Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) takes the number one rank at 67kg with 50500 points. Jafarov won bronze medals at the European and World Championships and a gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone for the top rank. He earned 11500 points from European Championships before adding 8000 points more in Rome. The World Championships bronze medal was worth 31000 points.

European champion Murat FIRAT (TUR) fell only 2500 points behind Jafarov to finish second with 48000 points. He earned 15000 points in Budapest before taking the trip to Mediterranean Games to earn the gold and 8000 points. Finishing fifth at the World Championships helped him get 25000 points and the second spot.

World champion Mate NEMES (SRB) not only stunned the Olympic champion Mohammadreza GEREAI (IRI) in the final, but he also outplaced him for the third spot with 45000 points.

Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) took the top spot at 72kg in the rankings. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

72kg
1. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) - $5000
2. Ali ARSALAN (SRB) - $3000
3. Selcuk CAN (TUR) - $2000

Another Azerbaijan wrestler takes the top spot as Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) rewarded for being of the most active wrestlers of the year. He began his season in Istanbul and finished 10th. That still helped him get 5480 points. He then won bronze at the European Championships for 9500 points. A second-place finish at the Matteo Pellicone then added 6400 points to his name. But the biggest came at the World Championships in which Ganizade won a silver medal. That was worth 37000 points.

World champion Ali ARSLAN (SRB) came close but he only participated in two tournaments. A bronze medal at the European Championships helped him get 9500 points. But he stunned the world by becoming the world champion at 72kg which gave him 45000 points and the second spot, a huge jump from the 21st spot.

Another big mover was Selcuk CAN (TUR) who moved from 12th to third by winning a bronze medal at the World Championships. He took a big step early in the year by winning the gold in Istanbul for 11000 points. He did not participate in the European Championships but he returned to win the bronze at the Matteo Pellicone 5200 points. He never looked to break into the top three but the World Championships bronze gave him 31000 points and the third spot.

Yunus BASAR (TUR) will get the $5000 for finishing at the top at 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

77kg
1. Yunus BASAR (TUR) - $5000
2. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) - $3000
3. Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) - $2000

With participation in four events that offered ranking points, Yunus BASAR (TUR) managed to surpass other favorites for the top spot at 77kg. The world bronze medalist got 11000 points for winning the gold medal in Istanbul before a silver medal at the European Championships added 13000 points to his tally. The 24000 points became 28000 points when he finished fifth at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup. But adding 31000 points for the bronze in Belgrade, he took his tally to 59000 points.

World and Asian champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) participated in only two events in 2022 and won gold in both. With 45000 points for the gold in Belgrade and 10000 points for the gold at the Asian Championships, Makhmudov managed 55000 points.

Silver medalist in Belgrade Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) fell 600 points behind Makhmudov to sit at third. He finished seventh at the European Championships which gave him only 9400 points. A gold medal at the Matteo Pellicone event gave 8000 points more. The other 37000 points came from the World Championships.

World champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) secured his place at the top at 82kg. (Photo: UWW / Dogukan Karadag)

82kg
1. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) - $5000
2. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) - $3000
3. Tamas LEVAI (HUN) - $2000

Last year it was Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) who finished first with Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) finishing second. But this year the rankings are reversed with Akbudak finishing at the top with 69700 points. Huseynov managed only 45200 points.

Akbudak won four medals at events that offer points. He became the world champion for 45000 points but had 11500 points for his bronze at European Championships, 5200 points for his bronze in Almaty and 8000 points for winning gold in Istanbul.

Huseynov won the European Championships for 15000 points and got 5200 points for bronze in Istanbul. A medal in Belgrade could have helped him overtake Akbudak but he finished fifth for 25000 points.

Tamas LEVAI (HUN) won bronze medals at the European and World Championships for 11500 and 31000 points. With 42500 points, he finished third.

Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) won the World Championships gold and finished ranked number one at 87kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

87kg
1. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) - $5000
2. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) - $3000
3. Ali CENGIZ (TUR) - $2000

He did not start the year on a great note but Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) managed to win the gold medal at the World Championships to finish at the top of the pack at 87kg. He finished with 58400 points, 45000 of which came for the gold in Belgrade. A silver medal in Istanbul gave him 6400 points before he slipped to the eighth spot at the European Championships for only 7000 points. But the world gold gave him enough points to reach the top.

Finishing second is Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) with 50000 points. 13000 points came for his European title and 37000 points he won at the World Championships in which he won a silver medal.

Ali CENGIZ (TUR) takes the third spot with 41400 points earned for bronze at Yasar Dogu Ranking Series [5200 points], Mediterranean Games [5200 points] and World Championships [31000 points].

European champion Kiril MILOV (BUL) reached the top of the rankings at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

97kg
1. Kiril MILOV (BUL) - $5000
2. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) - $3000
3. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) - $2000

Kiril MILOV (BUL) participated in two tournaments in 2022 and reached the final in both. He won the European Championships for 15000 points but finished with silver at World Championships which earned him 37000 points.

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) did not participate in any event in 2022 apart from the World Championships which he won 45000 points. He fell short of Milov due to his absence from the mat. He returned at the World Championships, winning the 97kg crown after five years.

Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) finished third at 97kg, thanks to his bronze medal-winning performance at the World Championships. He finished with 44620 points in total, just 380 points less than Aleksanyan.

Finishing 12th in Istanbul, Niftullayev got 5100 points for that effort but he did earn 8520 points at the Matteo Pellicone by finishing seventh. But the World Championships bronze was worth 31000 points.

Just 220 points behind Niftullayev is Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) who could have moved ahead had he won a medal at the World Championships but he finished seventh.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) won his fifth world title which also helped him rank one. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

130kg
1. Riza KAYAALP (TUR) - $5000
2. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) - $3000
3. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) - $2000

No one managed to stop Riza KAYAALP (TUR) from going to the top of the pile at 130kg. He won the World Championships for 45000 points, 13000 points for winning the European Championships, and 8000 points for gold at Matteo Pellicone. He won a bronze Istanbul Ranking Series event for 8200 points, taking his tally to 74200 points.

At the second spot, Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) earned 48500 points with wrestling at four events. He began with ninth place in Istanbul for 5800 points, another ninth place at the European Championships but still got 6500 points. But he got bronze medals at the Matteo Pellicone for 5200 points and World Championships which earned him 31000 points.

World silver medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) rounds off the ranking with 43400 points for the third spot. He got 37000 points for his silver medal in Belgrade and 6400 points came for the silver at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup.

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day six semis set

Thursday, September 15, 2022 - 08:00 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 15) -- The freestyle action in men's begins on day six of the World Championships in Belgrade with superstars competing in 70kg, 79kg, 86kg and 125kg at the Stark Arena.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals for the evening session

70kg
Zain RETHERFORD (USA) vs. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN)

79kg
Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL)
Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) vs. Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI)

86kg
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) vs. Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) vs. David TAYLOR (USA)

125kg
Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) vs. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) vs. Taha AKGUL (TUR)

14:38: Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL) trailed Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN) 3-2 till the final five seconds when he got Takahashi's knee touching the mat to win 4-3. Japan challenges the call but there is a clear touch. Umarpashaev wins 5-3.

14:36: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), the winner of the Rome tournament in June, plows into the 79kg semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE). After a first-period takedown, Mykhailov gets a takedown and two exposures in the second period and then ends the match with a third takedown.

14:35: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) puts on a takedown clinic, scoring four in a 10-5 victory over Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) to make the 79kg semifinals.

14:30: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), chasing his sixth world title, looks as good as ever. He makes it look so easy as he did against Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), steamrolling to an 11-0 win.

14:25: Amir ZARE (IRI) and Taha AKGUL (TUR) set up a mouth-watering semifinal at 125kg with similar one-sided victories on adjacent mats. Zare uses a spin-behind takedown to finish up a 10-0 technical fall over Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR). About a minute later, Akgul defeats Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 8-2. The only difference was a nifty ankle pick that Dhesi used to score a takedown against Akgul.

14:25: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) led Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) 4-2 in the 125kg quarterfinals but Boltin kept the pressure on. Munkhtur, however, manages to keep the score and win. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

14:23: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) is moving into the semifinals at 125kg as he beats Hayden ZILLMER (USA) 9-4 in a very controlled bout.

14:13: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) gets a stepout in the first period and an activity point in the second, and that's all the scoring in a tense 70kg quarterfinal victory over Servet COSKUN (TUR).

14:11: Zain RETHERFORD (USA) keeps his gold-medal hopes alive with a solid 5-0 victory over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) to make the 70kg semifinals. After getting an activity point in the first period, Retherford stays on the attack and scores a takedown and three stepouts for the win.

14:07: Ernazar AKMATELIEV (KGZ) completes a technical superiority win as well. Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) did try some tricks but Akmataliev keeps the counters coming and wins 11-0. He will face Narikuni in the semifinals, a rematch of the Asian Championships final which was won by Narikuni.

14:06: Asian champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) with an anti-climatic technical superiority win over Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB). He goes for a big four exposure and then a chest wrap gut for a 10-0 win at 70kg.

13:56: Boris MAKOEV (SVK) got a 4-0 lead against Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) but the Georgian has since bounced back with two takedowns and a stepout to lead 5-4. Slovakia challenge the call and the two points are taken off. 4-3 lead for Makoev. He got a takedown but Maisuradze changed the direction and got the two. He is awarded two more but Slovakia challenges asking for two and two. The review takes out two from Maisuradze. 5-4 lead for the Georgian. But Makoev with a two in the final second to win 6-5.

13:53: Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV gets a 4-point cradle to the back in the second period against Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR) and he's into the 86kg semifinals with a 9-1 victory.

13:48: David TAYLOR (USA) looks just awesome in his quest for a second world title, putting away Ethan RAMOS (PUR) by technical fall 11-0 in 1:34. A takedown and two gut wrenches, then another takedown and another gut wrench finished the job. A capricious challenge at the end was unsuccessful, adding another point.

13:45: The quarterfinals begin at 86kg Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) taking on Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) on Mat C. He gets a stepout to start. Takedown and gut to make it 5-0. Yazdani keeps the pressure and wins 11-0 within three minutes.

13:38: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) is through to the 79kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Aulguun ALTANZUL (MGL), much to the delight of the horn-honking, chanting Iranian fans at Stark Arena.

13:36: Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN), who went to his first senior worlds while still in high school in 2021, makes it to the quarterfinals this time at 79kg when he scores a stepout with :28 left to defeat Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) 7-6. Takahashi was trailing on criteria at the time.

13:27: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) hits those doubles like no one else. He moves into the 79kg quarterfinals with a 12-1 win over Dejan MITROV (MKD).

13:26: Taha AKGUL (TUR), going for his third world title and seventh medal overall, gets a pair of takedowns near the edge in the first period and that was enough for a 4-0 victory over DANIEL LIGETI (HUN) and place in the 125 quarterfinals.

13:19: European champion and returning bronze medalist Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) encounters stiff resistance from Temuulen EHKHTUYA (MGL) to start his campaign at 70kg. An activity point gives him a 2-1 lead, and that's how it ends to put Iakobishvili into the quarterfinals.

13:14: Olympic silver medalist Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) warms up with a fall over DINESH (IND) and moves into the quarterfinals at 125kg. His match is followed up by Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) against Zhiwei DENG (CHN). Zare leads 2-0 at the break. A passivity against Deng in the second period makes it 3-0. That will be the final score of the bout.

13:09: Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) gets the fall on Mat A over Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) to make the 70kg quarterfinals, but not without some drama. Narikuni is trailing 4-2 in the second period when he gets in on a tackle. Talgat gets on top to defend, but Narikuni rises up and rolls forward. He is awarded 2, but Kazakhstan challenges—and the call is changed to 4! With the lost challenge point, now it's 7-4. Narikuni gets a takedown, a roll, then stacks up Talgat for the fall with :38 left.

13:09: At 125kg, Hayden ZILLMER (USA) hangs on for a 3-2 win over European bronze medalist Robert BARAN (POL). That means the USA will get team points at 125kg, a huge aspect in the team race.

13:02: Olympic champion David TAYLOR (USA) needs just 51 seconds to get a takedown, lock up an arm and roll back and forth four times to defeat Aron CANEVA (ITA) by 10-0 technical fall and advance to the 86kg quarterfinals.

13:00: Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) goes into the break at 86kg against 2021 bronze medalist Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) leading 3-1 after giving up a takedown and a fleeing penalty. Abakarov gets in on leg late in the second period, but Maisuradze defends and comes away with the win and a spot in the quarterfinals.

12:56: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) gives up a takedown against Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) but remains unfazed. In the second period, Sacultan tries to trip Akmataliev who counters with a four and gut wrenches to a 13-2 win.

12:50: Russian-born Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) gets the early takedown against Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), the returning silver medalist from 2021 at 79kg. Nokhodi spins behind for 2, then adds a pair of rolls to go up 6-2. A counter lift by the bearded Shikhdzhamalov and a Nokhodi reversal makes it 7-4 at the break. Shikhdzhamalov gets behind to cut the gap to 1 midway through the second period, but Nokhodi holds on for a 7-6 win.

12:48: Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR) up against Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT) and he takes the 2-0 lead with a takedown. He adds one more in the second period and will hold on for a 4-0 win.

12:43: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) is walking out and you know that as the Iran fans cheer him. He is facing Ivan ICHIZLI (MDA) at 86kg. A slow start from the defending world champion but he works more in the second period for a 10-0 technical superiority win.

12:32: Arman AVAGYAN (ARM), a 2021 world U23 bronze medalist, wins points on both offense and defense in beating Adam THOMPSON (CAN) by 11-0 technical fall at 79kg.

12:25: Big match at 79kg as Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics at 74kg, facing Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR). Abdurakhmonov went up to 86kg but has come back to 79kg for this tournament. He is up 1-0 at the break. A scramble gives two points for Abdurakhmanov and one for Akdeniz. A second scramble results in a four-pointer for Akdeniz but Uzbekistan and it's only two. Turkey leads 3-3 on criteria. A double from Abdurakhmonov and he takes the lead. An attack from Akdeniz but he gives up points. Challenge from Turkey as Akdeniz suffers a 7-3 loss. A lost challenge and Abdurakhmonov wins 8-3

12:21: 2020 Asian champion Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) leaves it late but gets a double-leg takedown with :25 left to defeat 2021 European silver medalist Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA) 2-2 on criteria at 79kg.

12:20: European champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) could not have asked for a tougher start to his World Championships. Facing Alans AMIROVS (LAT) at 79kg, he scores a stepout a point for passivity and another stepout to win 3-1.

12:11: A 7-0 victory on Mat B by Daniel LIGETI (HUN) over Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 125kg earns him a date in the round of 16 with former world and Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR).

12:05: Five-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) is coming up on Mat C against Sahergeldi SAPARMYRADOV (TKM). Burroughs gives up a stepout but comes back to hit the iconic double to complete a 12-1 win

12:00: World bronze medalist Zhiwei DENG (CHN) up on Mat C against Aydin AHMADOV (AZE) and he keeps it moving for six minutes and completes a 5-0 win over Ahmadov.

11:58: Two-time world medalist Reineris SALAS (CUB), a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist at 97kg who has moved up to 125kg, falls behind on criteria when he gives up a takedown to Pan Am champ Amarveer DHESI (CAN) with two minutes left in the second period. Dhesi, with Salas on the activity clock, adds a stepout. With a minute to go, Dhesi is up 4-2, then squirms out of a takedown attempt for the win.

11:45: Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) got the opening arm-spin four against Hayden ZILLMER (USA) but the American rallied back to win 15-4 at 125kg.

11:39: Asian champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), whose mother Akiko IIJIMA was a two-time world champion and his coach as a youth, took the first step in emulating his mom in his senior world debut with a 6-1 victory over Naveen MALIK (IND) at 70kg.

11:35: Zain RETHERFORD (USA), a big favorite to win the gold medal at 70kg, shows why is it so. He rocks and roll Kevin HENKEL (GER) for a technical superiority win.

11:28: A bit of bad blood on Mat A. Fati VEJSELI (MKD) gives European bronze medalist Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) a shove as the two are on the mat at the end of their 70kg match, which was won 7-4 by Ramazanov.

11:20: Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB), making his debut at the World Championships, wins his opening match via technical superiority against Anthony WESLEY (CPV) at 70kg. Bekbulatov has been wrestling for Uzbekistan since 2019.

11:18: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), coming off a gold-medal run at last month's World U20, storms out to an 8-point lead at 86kg against Ethan RAMOS (PUR), only to see his opponent come back with six of his own, all in the first period. Magamadov gets a takedown and roll, but Ramos comes back with a takedown. Then the ceiling falls on the Frenchman, as Ramos muscles him over for a fall as if to say, welcome to the big league.

11:09: At 86kg, European champion Myles AMINE (SMR), the U.S.-raised star who became a hero in his grandfather's homeland of San Marino when he won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, comes out the back door to score a 2-point exposure against Zushen LIN (CHN) and go-ahead 2-2 on criteria. He does the same move in the second period, then gives up a stepout. An unsuccessful challenge gives him a 5-3 win.

11:08: Returning bronze medalist Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) against Khasan ZAKARIIEV (UKR) on Mat D. He gives up four early points but then bounces back in the second period with two takedowns to lead 4-4. He scores a stepout as the time expires to win 5-4

11:03: Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) trailed for most of the bout but he scored a takedown with 34 seconds remaining to pick up a 4-4 win over Sanjeet KUNDU (IND) at 86kg.

10:54: Fatih ERDIN (TUR) gets a takedown and gut against Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) to lead 6-0 but the Poland wrestler returns to secure a 16-6 technical superiority using a lace.

10:49: Ivan ICHIZLI (MDA) gets a couple of rolls in defeating Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) 7-0 at 86kg in the opening match on Mat A. That sends him into the next round, where he will be the opening opponent for formidable three-time world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI).

10:29: Greetings from Belgrade for another great day of wrestling (what day isn't?) In today's morning session, the men return to the mat for the qualification rounds in freestyle at 70kg, 79kg, 86kg and 125kg. You can expect the action to be hot and heavy.

End of the year Greco-Roman rankings

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World Championships day six semis set