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.

#JapanWrestling

Fumita Earns Ticket to Worlds, Higuchi Surprisingly Takes a Pass

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 16:22 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (May 22) -- Having followed nearly identical paths up to and after their triumphs at the Paris Olympics, Rei HIGUCHI suddenly diverged from Kenichiro FUMITA on an issue that no one had seen coming.

Higuchi captured the Freestyle 61kg title at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships in Friday in Tokyo, only to then make the stunning announcement that he would take a pass on a playoff for Japan's team to this year's World Championships.

Fumita earned a chance at a third world title and first since 2019 when he claimed the Greco-Roman 63kg gold, then handily defeated Asian bronze medalist Kaisei TANABE 9-1 in a playoff.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the 61kg final for Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Higuchi, the Paris gold medalist at 57kg, cited a single-minded desire to become a repeat Olympic champion as being behind his lack of interest in trying to add a world title to the one he claimed in 2022.

"In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]," Higuchi said. "There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles.

"Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

Fumita, a former teammate of Higuchi's at Nippon Sports Science University who now shares the same corporate sponsor, was neither critical nor surprised by the move.

"He has his own way of thinking," said Fumita, the Paris gold medalist at Greco 60kg. "To tell the truth, before the Meiji Cup, he continually said how he was not aiming for the World Championships. I thought, that's just like him."

"I'm the type who gets into the position where I earn the ticket first, then consider what I want to do. For him to be able to just make such a decision on the spot, I think is actually pretty cool."

The Meiji Cup is serving as the second of two qualifiers for the Asian Games (in the Olympic weights) and World Championships, both of which will be held in the fall. A wrestler who wins the first qualifier -- the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships held in December -- and the Meiji Cup earns the national team place outright; a playoff is held when the winners are different.

Higuchi set up the playoff, that he eventually spurned, by defeating Emperor's Cup champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA 3-0 in the 61kg final, scoring a spin-behind takedown and stepout in the first period.

"It was fun being back in competition for the first time in awhile, and I was excited and nervous," Higuchi said. "I didn't really feel much pressure.

"As the Olympic champion, I think there were some people expecting an upset. But win or lose, it's not going to change that I am the Olympic gold medalist. In that way, I paid no mind and could enjoy my wrestling."

Powering the 30-year-old Higuchi's quest for gold at Los Angeles is a desire to etch his place among -- or at the top -- of the greats in Japanese wrestling history. He wants to join the legendary Yojiro UETAKE, who won the Freestyle 57kg gold at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympics, as the only Japanese males to win consecutive Olympic titles.

"In Japanese wrestling history, there has been only one [male] who has won back-to-back Olympic titles," Higuchi said. "My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in Japan history. There are many greats who came before me, and I want to top their records by ending with a second gold in Los Angeles."

With Higuchi stepping aside, Hasegawa automatically gained a chance to improve on the bronze medal he won at the 2021 World Championships.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) battles it out during his 63kg final against Manato NAKAMURA (JPN). (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Unlike Higuchi, Fumita had planned to return to action at the Emperor's Cup, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. His dominant run to his fifth career Meiji Cup gold and first since 2022 made victory all the sweeter.

"Being in the position of winning again makes me realize how great it is. Winning really is great," Fumita said. "I really kept my focus. From the time Paris was over to now, I thought quite a lot about my wrestling and how I wanted to approach it, and in the final and the playoff, I was able to bring out what I had imagined."

In the 63kg final, Fumita used a high chest wrap from par terre to score three exposures and finished off Manato NAKAMURA 9-0 in just over two minutes.

That put him into the playoff, held a few hours later following the medal ceremony. Tanabe, who nearly completed a rare Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup, had defaulted his first-round match, ensuring he would be fresh for the playoff.

As impressive as Tanabe has been in his "side" job in Greco, he proved no match for the powerful and wily Fumita, who also has a Olympic silver and two other world medals to his credit.

From par terre, Fumita relied on the high chest wrap again, rolling Tanabe twice to take a 5-0 lead into the second period. Tanabe had his chance at par terre, only for Fumita to step over on a roll attempt for 2, then gain control and end the match with a gut wrench in 3:15.

"After taking a little rest, I was able to turn the switch back on," Fumita said. "Getting the ticket [to the World Championships] was my No. 1 objective, and first off, I was able to clear that. But I intend to eventually go back down to 60kg."

Tanabe, who is also part of the training group of past and current NSSU students, will attempt to win the Freestyle 65kg title over the next two days.

"Normally, he practices Freestyle, but sometimes joins in Greco," Fumita said. "He has entered competitions in Greco and even won a medal in Asia, so he definitely has the ability. As such, I had to dig deep and fight and stay aware of not giving him any openings.

"He's preparing to compete in Freestyle at 65kg tomorrow and the day after and I will switch over to his side and give him my total support."

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores upon Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) during 97kg final. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.com / Takeo Yabuki)

Yoshida Secures Return Trip to Worlds

In other action, world bronze medalist Arash YOSHIDA, coming off a second consecutive gold-medal run at the Asian Championships, won a second straight title at Freestyle 97kg with a 11-0 victory over up-and-coming teenager Noah LEIBOWITZ.

The result was a repeat of the final at the Emperor's Cup, thus clinching Yoshida's spot on the national team to the Worlds.

"Along with aiming to win, my objective was to use what I worked on in practice," Yoshida said. "But looking at it that way, there were more things I didn't use, so I need to practice so that they come out in matches.

"My opponent has a strong attack, and that makes it easy to wear yourself out. So my plan to was to let him shoot, stop it and get behind, and that's just how it went."

At Freestyle 70kg, Yuma TOMIYAMA received a victory by default over Taishi NARIKUNI, who suffered a severe facial injury earlier in the day in a Greco match.

Narikuni, who completed the Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup that eluded Tanabe, was hospitalized and will undergo surgery on a broken eye socket, according to family members.

In Women's Wrestling, two Asian silver medalists earned their first trips to the senior Worlds, one outright and the other through the playoff route.

At 65kg, Nana IKEHATA, the 2024 world U20 champion, followed up her triumph at the Emperor's Cup with a 9-2 victory over Hiyori MOTOKI.

Mahiro YOSHITAKE avenged a loss in the semifinals to eventual 72kg champion Shirin TAKEMOTO, winning their playoff 5-1. Earlier, Takemoto defeated Chisato YOSHIDA 11-0 in the final.

One of the day's bronze-medal matches took sibling rivalry to the extreme, as Daizo TANIZAKI got the better of younger brother Konosuke at Greco 82kg. Daizo used a front headlock for a 4-point throw, then kept hold to add two rolls to win 8-0 in 1:14.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Rei HIGUCHI df. Toshihiro HASEGAWA, 3-0

BRONZE: Rikito SASAKI df. Kosei KANEKO, 8-2
BRONZE: Akito MUKAIDA df. Meiryu AKAMINE, 4-1

70kg
GOLD: Yuma TOMIYAMA df. Taishi NARIKUNI by Inj. Def.

BRONZE: Taichi YAMAGUCHI df. Kaito MORITA, 9-5
BRONZE: Shina YASUMI df. Taishin HONNA, 2-1

92kg
GOLD: Sorato KANAZAWA df. Ryogo ASANO, 6-5

BRONZE: Takeru TAKESHIGE df. Yuya YOSHIDA, 12-4
BRONZE: Takato UCHIDA df. Ryuki NOSE, 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA df. Noah LEIBOWITZ by TS, 11-0, 5:33

BRONZE: Satoshi MIURA df. Daiki ITO by TS, 14-1, 5:48
BRONZE: Toyoki HAMADA df. Yuto UEKI by Fall, 3:41 (4-1)

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Kagetora OKAMOTO df. Keidai ITO, 6-5

BRONZE: Mizuki ARAKI df. Hiro SAKAMOTO by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: Sanshiro TAKAHASHI df. Taketo NINOMIYA, 6-4

63kg
GOLD: Kenichiro FUMITA df. Manato NAKAMURA by TS, 9-0, 2:03

BRONZE: Kensho NATAMI df. Rikito SASAKI, 7-3
BRONZE: Shoya ITO df. Ryota Koshiba, 2-1

World team playoff: Fumita df. Kaisei TANABE by TS, 9-1, 3:15

82kg
GOLD: Tatsuya FUJII df. Tesshin HIGUCHI by TS, 10-1, 4:15

BRONZE: Yahiro MOTOHASHI df. Isshin ONITSUKA, 4-2
BRONZE: Daizo TANIZAKI df. Konosuke TANIZAKI by TS, 8-0, 1:16

130kg
GOLD: Sota OKUMURA df. Yuta NARA, 1-1

BRONZE: Koei YAMADA df. Tsubasa HARUKAZE by Fall, :19 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kosei MIYAKE df. Shion OBATA by Fall, 2:00 (2-1)

World team playoff: Nara df. Okumura, 2-1

Women’s Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Nagisa HARADA df. Konami ONO, 7-7

BRONZE: Yuna SAWATANI df. Narumi NAKAMURA, 3-0
BRONZE: Ruka NATAMI df. Haru UCHINO, 6-5

59kg
GOLD: Natsuki YAMAGUCHI df. Nagisa ITO, 3-2

BRONZE: Himeka HASEGAWA, no match
BRONZE: Miuna KIMURA df. Risa MOTOHARA, 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Nana IKEHATA df. Hiyori MOTOKI, 9-2

BRONZE: Misuzu ENOMOTO df. Kotone HIRATA by TS, 10-0, 4:34
BRONZE: Momoko KITADE df. Haruka KOBARU, 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Shirin TAKEMOTO df. Chisato YOSHIDA by TS, 11-0, 5:26

BRONZE: Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Makia KIMURA by Fall, 1:34 (6-0)
BRONZE: Kaede MATSUYAMA df. Ai SAKAI, 4-0

World team playoff: Yoshitake df. Takemoto, 5-1

End of the year Greco-Roman rankings

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Fumita Earns Ticket to Worlds, Higuchi Surprisingly Takes a Pass