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 one semis set

Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 08:03 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 10) -- The first day of the World Championships is here. Belgrade is all set for the biggest event of the year. Greco-Roman kicks off the competition with a lot of anticipation from the local crowd as they hope to win two of the four gold medals.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

What a session we had on the first day of the competition. The semifinals for the evening session are set.

55kg
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) vs. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Max NOWRY (USA)

72kg
Selcuk CAN (TUR) vs. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE)
Ali ARSALAN (SRB) vs. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)

77kg
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) vs. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) vs. Viktor NEMES (SRB)

87kg
Ali CENGIZ (TUR) vs. Turpan Ali Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

14:30: The final bout of the morning session is a thriller. Olympic champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) began with a four but Yunus BASAR (TUR) got the exposure in the same move before adding a four for himself. Makhmudov with a takedown before challenging for another. Basar held 7-7 criteria lead before he was cautioned for a singlet pull when Makhmudov was attacking. Makhmudov got the 9-7 lead and the win.

14:25: Veteran Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) showed he still has medal-winning potential when the 33-year-old scored all of his points early in the first period and cruised to a 6-0 victory over Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) in the 77kg quarterfinals.

14:25: Viktor NEMES (SRB) is moving into the 77kg semifinals. The former world champion gets a 7-0 win over Rui LIU (CHN). The local fans are absolutely thrilled with it.

14:24: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), who started the day by knocking off the 2021 world 72kg champion, continued his mission at 77kg by routing Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) by 9-0 technical fall. Levai scored 4 points in the par terre in the first period, then ended the match with a takedown in the second.

14:15: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) kept his hopes alive of regaining the world title he won in 2019, but he came dangerously close to missing out. The 2021 world bronze medalist had to fight off his back in the first period, then scored a 2-point throw in the second to clinch a 5-2 quarterfinal victory over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

14:09: Top seed Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) powered his way into the 55kg semifinals, scoring three gut wrenches from the par terre before putting away Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) with a second-period takedown for a 9-0 technical fall.

14:07: Max NOWRY (USA) with a fall in the quarterfinals! Fabian SCHMITT (GER) cannot come out of the headlock after par terre.

14:05: 55kg quarterfinals and Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) is wrestling Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) who gets the 1-0 lead for the passivity of Dad Marz. In the second period, Bekbolatov begins with a takedown before a point for Dad Marz.

13:59: If Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) takes home a medal from Belgrade, at best it will only be the same as the bronze he won in Oslo last year. Selcuk CAN (TUR) scored a 2-point throw from par terre in the second period, giving him a 3-1 victory and the final place in the 72kg semifinals.

13:55: On Mat D, Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) built a 4-0 lead before adding two more stepouts to lead 6-0 against Valentin PETIC (MDA). No more score in that bout as Ghanem reached the semifinals.

13:53: European bronze medalist Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) takes full advantage of par terre, scoring a pair of 4-point throws to overwhelm Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) by 10-0 technical fall in just over two minutes to make the 72kg semifinals.

13:50: At 72kg, Ali ARSALAN (SRB) and top seed Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) in the quarterfinal. Arsalan gets the advantage with par terre. He gets two turns to lead 5-0. He then goes behind Sleiva for a takedown before continuing the move to get the 9-0 win and a place in the semifinal.

13:40: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), aiming to become Denmark's first world Greco medalist since 2015, stayed in the running at 87kg when he scored a stepout midway through the second period and held on for a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI).

13:42: 87kg quarterfinal between Damian VON EUW (SUI) and Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and it's Von Euw who gets the first par terre position. Cengiz commits a leg foul while defending which gives Von Euw a 3-0 lead. Chengiz with a stepout and he tries a body lock throw. It's only a stepout but Switzerland is asking for exposure but lost the challenge. Von Euw lead 3-3 on criteria. But Chengiz with a turn from par terre and caution against Von Euw. Chengiz wins 8-3

13:38: Defending champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) kept alive his hopes of a golden repeat at 87kg, scoring three points in the first period and a stepout in the second to defeat Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) 4-1 and advance to the semifinals.

13:35: The first quarterfinal win! David LOSONCZI (HUN) with a huge four-pointer against Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and it's a technical superiority 12-3 win for him at 87kg.

13:12: At 77kg, Idris IBAEV (GER) is in some trouble as Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) builds a 7-0 at the break. Ibaev begins with a takedown in the second period but Shadukayev with an arm throw for four and he wins 11-2

13:08: Max NOWRY (USA) assured an American presence in the quarterfinals on the opening day with a stunning victory at 55kg over Arjun HALAKURKI (IND). Trailing 3-1, Nowry launched a spectacular arm throw for 4, then clamped down for a fall with just under a minute left.

13:05: Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) with a roll from par terre against Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)to lead 3-0 in their 77kg bout. Geraei can't do the same from par terre as no control when he was trying to roll Kim. A 4-1 win for Kim

13:03: Asian silver medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) books his place in the 55kg quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Nedyalko PETROV (BUL)

12:58: At 55kg, Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) rallies from a 5-0 deficit, scoring a stepout with :06 left to knock off Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) 6-5 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:52: Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), aiming to keep the 55kg title in Japanese hands, couldn't turn Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR) from par terre, but came right back with a takedown and 2-point exposure to lead 5-0 after one period. A front headlock roll in the second gave him a 9-0 victory and a showdown in the quarterfinals with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE).

12:51: Home hero Viktor NEMES (SRB) with a four from par terre and he leads Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) at 77kg. Zeinalov gets a stepout and then a passivity advantage but gets no points. Nemes wins the bout 6-2

12:48: The returning bronze medalist at 55kg, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), had no problem in putting away Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) 10-0 in just under two minutes to make the last eight.

12:47: Here are the quarterfinals at 87kg

David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Damian VON EUW (SUI) vs. Ali CENGIZ (TUR)
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE)

12:42: European champion and 2021 world bronze medalist Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) makes short work of Giovanni FRENI (ITA), gaining a takedown and three gut wrenches for an 8-0 technical fall in 1:32.

12:39: At 72kg, 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) secures a place in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ).

12:36: In a clash of continental bronze medalists, Asia wins out as Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) caps his 9-0 technical fall over Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) with a leaping 4-point roll to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals.

12:32: Fabian SCHMITT (GER) became the first into the quarterfinals at 55kg with a close 3-2 win over Artiom DELEANU (MDA).

12:30: Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), a bronze medalist at 72kg a year ago in Oslo, began his campaign with a 6-3 victory over Matias LIPASTI (FIN). Sleiva was trailing 0-1 in the second period when he started a scramble with an arm throw; when the dust cleared and the referees sorted it out, he ended with six points and his opponent two.

12:15: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) rides on the local support to come back from 3-0 down and beat Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 7-3 at 72kg. He is into the quarterfinals. That bout is followed by Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) beating Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) at 72kg.

12:11: European champion Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), aiming to improve on his fifth-place finish in 2021, took as much time waiting for the result of Barthelemy TSHOSHA (COD)'s an unsuccessful challenge to be announced than he did in scoring his 9-0 victory to make the quarterfinals at 87kg.

12:10: World champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) up against Hannes WAGNER (GER) in the 87kg pre-quarterfinals. He gets the early point for Wagner's passivity. He leads 1-0 at the break. Wagner tries a tie but Datunashvili gets the takedown for two. One point for fleeing the mat. Wagner challenges but lost. Datunashvili wins 5-0.

12:06: Asian silver medalist Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) makes short work of Haitao QIAN (CHN), winning 8-0 to secure a place in the 87kg quarterfinals. He will face David LOSONCZI (HUN).

12:01: Georgio PREVOLARAKIS (GRE), trailing 4-1 against Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), uses a front headlock roll for six points and advances at 77kg with a 7-5 victory. The Greek squirmed out of a takedown attempt in the final seconds to secure the win.

11:55: Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) got the four over Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) but the two-time World Championships bronze medalist Iran wrestler wins 5-4 as he had the throw from par terre.

11:50: At 77kg, 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) hit a 4-point back suplex with :20 left to grab a 5-1 victory over European bronze medalist Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL). That sets up a second-round clash with the red-hot Zoltan LEVAI (HUN).

11:41: In a thriller at 77kg, 2021 world U23 champion Idris IBAEV (GER) stormed out to a 7-0 lead in the first period against the senior world silver medalist, Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), only to allow him to come back with 7 points in the second. But Ibaev held the advantage by criteria, and a late unsuccessful challenge gave him an 8-7 victory.

11:26: Two-time Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), who knocked off 2021 world champion Ken MATSUI (JPN) in a playoff to make the squad at 55kg to Belgrade, used a 5-point throw to finish off an 8-0 technical fall over Jiahao LIU (CHN) and advance to the round of 16.

11:20: He defeated Amoyan and now Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) beats Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) at 77kg with a 4-1 score line. Huge win for Levai

11:10: At 72kg, Matias LIPASTI (FIN) scores a big 4-point throw with :40 left, giving him a 5-5 victory over Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB), who slammed the mat in disgust.

11:12: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) was facing some trouble with a 5-5 criteria against Mirco MINGUZZI (ITA) but lets the lead 6-5 to win his 87kg opening bout

11:07: Two-time European bronze medalist Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) advanced out of the qualification round at 55kg with an 8-0 technical fall over Hyeokjin JEON (KOR). He will next face an Asian bronze medalist, Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

10:56: Continuing the first-round matches at 87kg, Damian VON EUW (SUI) used a massive lift-and-dump for 5 from par terre, then added a 2-point exposure for an 8-0 technical fall over Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) in 2:01.

10:51: In a battle of Tokyo Olympians, Jinhyeok KIM (KOR) had a successful challenge overturn a 4-point move in the final 30 seconds, preserving his 3-1 victory over Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) to send him into the round of 16.

10:45: A world champion goes down early. Malkas AMOYAN (ARM) got the turn from par terre in the first period but Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) also got the turn for a 3-3 win. Amoyan won the gold medal at the 2021 Worlds at 72kg.

10:42: Alex KESSIDIS (SWE), the silver medalist at 77kg in 2019, gets his campaign started at 87kg by tossing about Masato SUMI (JPN) from the par terre to post an 11-2 technical fall.

10:30: The first whistle at the World Championships! Mat A has Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) going up against Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) at 77kg. Mat B has Vjekoslav LUBURIC (CRO) vs Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg, Masato SUMI (JPN) vs Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) at 87kg and Mat D has Nurbek KHASHIMBEKOV (UZB) vs Yoan DIMITROV (BUL).

10:25: Greetings from Belgrade! The sun is playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, but the action will be in full view on the four mats. We're about to get the opening day started with the morning session through the quarterfinals at Greco 55kg, 72kg, 77kg and 87kg.

End of the year Greco-Roman rankings

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World Championships day one semis set