#WrestleBelgrade

Freestyle entries released for 2023 World Championships

Friday, August 25, 2023 - 14:04 By Eric Olanowski

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BELGRADE, Serbia (August 25) --- United World Wrestling has released the preliminary freestyle entries for the 2023 World Championships.

The World Championships will be live in Belgrade, Serbia, September 16-24, with freestyle kicking off the competition on the 16th.

Seven returning champions— Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI), Kyle DAKE (USA), David TAYLOR III (USA), Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Taha AKGUL (TUR)—are headed to Belgrade striving to add another world title to their list of achievements..

The 2023 World Championships hold significant importance for the 2024 Olympic cycle as it marks the initial phase of the six qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 90 Olympic quotas—30 each in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling—are up for contention in Belgrade.

The Olympic quotas will be allocated across six weight classes: 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg, and 125kg. Additionally, four non-Olympic weights will be contested—61kg, 70kg, 79kg, and 92kg—however, placements in these categories will have no impact on qualification for the Paris Olympics.

Wrestlers who achieve gold, silver, or bronze medals in the six Olympic weight categories will secure a place for their nation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Additionally, the two wrestlers who fall short in the bronze-medal bouts will compete in a wrestle-off to determine the fifth quota for the Paris Olympics.

Other Olympic Qualification Events:
}March 01-03: Pan-American Olympic Qualifier in Acapulco, Mexico
March 22-24: African and Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Cairo, Egypt
April 04-07: European Olympic Qualifier in Baku, Azerbaijan
April 19-21: Asian Olympic Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
May 09-12: World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, Turkey

At 57kg, reigning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will share headlining responsibilities with Rei HIGUCHI (JPN). Higuchi, who previously held the 61kg world title, has decided to compete at his Rio 2016 Olympic silver medal weight of 57kg.

Other medalists from last year that'll compete at 57kg are bronze medal finishers Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM). Zandanbud's bronze came in the 57kg category, while Harutyunyan competed at 61kg.

With Higuchi's move to the 57kg Olympic weight, the 61kg division lacks a clear frontrunner. Nevertheless, there are three entrants with world medals to their name. Reza Ahmadali ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI) was the runner-up last year, and Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) and Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB) both claimed bronze medals.

Despite being registered at 61kg, there's a strong possibility that Micic might reclassify and move down to the 57kg category, considering the Olympic qualification stakes.

At 65kg, world and Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) is set to return after a hiatus since his gold-medal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Wrestling enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a potential showdown between Otoguro and reigning world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI).

Other prominent contenders in the 65kg division include superstar Haji ALIYEV (AZE), a three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, as well as two-time world bronze medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

In the 70kg class, Zain RETHERFORD (USA), Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), and Amirmohammad YAZDANICHERATI (IRI) are the top targets for all contenders. While these three wrestlers have reached the world finals recently, they fell short of their lifelong ambition of reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

The ultra-competitive 74kg weight class is led by Kyle DAKE (USA), who has been the dominant figure in the division since transitioning from 79kg in January 2020. Since that shift, Dake has triumphed in 7 out of 8 competitions, securing two world titles, with his only loss coming against Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Kadimahamedau, the wrestler responsible for defeating Dake at the Olympic Games, is set to return to the international stage in Belgrade. Behind Dake and Kadimahamedau, Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) holds the third position on the favorites list. Despite reaching the world finals twice in consecutive years, Salkazanov fell short against Dake on both occasions.

Other dark horses in this weight category, with past world medals to their names, include Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), and Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA).

In a notable development, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), after experimenting at 86kg, has decided to shift back to 74kg in pursuit of another Olympic medal.

With the absence of the two-time reigning 79kg world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) emerges as the frontrunner in this weight division. Nokhodilarimi reached the finals in two consecutive years but faced defeat against Burroughs, settling for second place.

In the 86kg category, David TAYLOR III (USA) stands as the undeniable favorite, following his commanding victory over Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) in Belgrade a year ago. Taylor carries with him a history of wins against Yazdani, having secured victories in the 2017 World Cup, 2018 World Championships, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and 2022 World Championships. Yazdani's sole win against Taylor came at the 2021 World Championships.

Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR), Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), and Boris MAKOEV (SVK) are the three prominent contenders with the best prospects of preventing a Taylor vs. Yazdani rematch in the world finals. Amine, an Olympic bronze medalist, alongside Dauletbekov and Makoev, both returning world bronze medalists, are aiming to make their mark.

At 92kg, with Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J’den COX (USA) absent from the registration list, the frontrunners become the 2022 world bronze medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO).

In the 97kg division, with the absence of Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) on the early entry list, Kyle SNYDER (USA) emerges as the top contender. Snyder, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, is likely to face strong competition from world bronze medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) and Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) as he aims to secure his fourth world gold.

At 125kg, Gable STEVESON (USA) is set to return after a substantial absence. The 21-year-old sensation made waves at the Tokyo Olympic Games, stunning the wrestling community with his triumph. He managed to defeat now-reigning world champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) and three-time world champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) en route to Olympic glory.

Following his Olympic gold, Steveson took a brief retirement from wrestling to pursue a career in WWE. However, he has since added another Olympic gold to his aspirations.

During Steveson's absence, young contender Amir ZARE (IRI) has emerged as a dominant figure in the weight class. Zare claimed world gold in Oslo before relinquishing the crown to Rio Olympic champion Akgul in Belgrade. A highly anticipated clash between Zare and Steveson is eagerly awaited by fans after numerous exchanges on social media.

One often underestimated contender in this division is reigning world runner-up MUNKHTUR Lkhagvagerel (MGL). He showcased his capabilities last year by competing well against elite opponents, even shocking Petriashvili to reach the finals.

The 2023 World Championships begin September 16-24 in Belgrade, Serbia. Fans can follow all the action live on www.uww.org or on 'The Home of Wrestling,' United World Wrestling's new app.

Note: The aforementioned entries are preliminary and subject to change.

Freestyle entries:

57kg
Dzmitry SHAMELA (AIN)
Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)
Bofenda KALUWEKO (ANG)
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE)
Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)
Darthe CAPELLAN (CAN)
Wanhao ZOU (CHN)
Gamal MOHAMED (EGY)
Levan METREVELI (ESP)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO)
Niklas STECHELE (GER)
Milad VALIZADEH (IRI)
Simone PIRODDU (ITA)
Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)
Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
Gukhyeon KIM (KOR)
Ben TARIK (MAR)
Igor CHICHIOI (MDA)
Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Vladimir EGOROV (MKD)
Muhammad BILAL (PAK)
Darian CRUZ (PUR)
Razvan KOVACS (ROU)
Gayan KATHURANGANA (SRI)
Thomas EPP (SUI)
Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
Kamil KERYMOV (UKR)
Zane RICHARDS (USA)
AMAN (UWW)
Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)

61kg
Andrei BEKRENEU (AIN)
Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG)
Norik HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS)
Intigam VALIZADA (AZE)
Stilyan ILIEV (BUL)
Nicholas LATTANZE (CAN)
Congbao XIE (CHN)
Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO)
Reza ATRI (IRI)
Daniel POPOV (ISR)
Kodai OGAWA (JPN)
Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ)
Kenneth KOECH (KEN)
Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)
Hyeonsik SONG (KOR)
Leomid COLESNIC (MDA)
Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL)
Besir ALILI (MKD)
Joseph SILVA (PUR)
Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU)
Stevan MICIC (SRB)
Nils LEUTERT (SUI)
Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR)
Valentyn BLIASETSKYI (UKR)
Vitali ARUJAU (USA)
Akash DAHIYA (UWW)
Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB)

65kg
Niurgun SKRIABIN (AIN)
Islam DUDAEV (ALB)
Pedro LUVUEZO (ANG)
Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG)
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
Ayub MUSAEV (BEL)
Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN)
Mikyay NAIM (BUL)
Lachlan MCNEIL (CAN)
Shaohua YUAN (CHN)
Uber CUERO (COL)
Yanisse MADI (COM)
Alejandro VALDES (CUB)
Carlos ALVAREZ (ESP)
Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)
Junjun ASEBIAS (FSM)
Edemi BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Alexander SEMISOROW (GER)
Ethan AGUIGUI (GUM)
Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)
Joshua FINESILVER (ISR)
Colin REALBUTO (ITA)
Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)
Adil OSPANOV (KAZ)
Levi NYONGESA (KEN)
Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ)
Seokki YOON (KOR)
Maxim SACULTAN (MDA)
Austin GOMEZ (MEX)
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
Lowe BINGHAM (NRU)
Abdullah ASSAF (PLE)
Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)
Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)
Stefan COMAN (ROU)
Sylvio DIATTA (SEN)
Divoshan CHARLES FERNANDO (SRI)
Nino LEUTERT (SUI)
Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK)
Cavit ACAR (TUR)
Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR)
Nicholas LEE (USA)
Anuj KUMAR (UWW)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)
Ibrahim GUZAN (YEM)

70kg
Nikita DMITRIJEVS MAYEUSKI  (AIN)
Patricio MANGUAU (ANG)
Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
Magomed KHANIEV (AZE)
Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL)
Michael ASSELSTINE (CAN)
Hazhimuhan YELIXIATI (CHN)
Amr REDA (EGY)
Caetano SA (GBS)
Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)
Kevin HENKEL (GER)
Daniel ANTAL (HUN)
Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI)
Orts ISAKOV (JOR)
Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)
Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ)
Brian Maurice OLOO (KEN)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
Yongseok JEONG (KOR)
Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA)
Cristian SANTIAGO (MEX)
Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL)
Fati VEJSELI (MKD)
Patryk OLENCZYN (POL)
Viktor VOINOVIC (SRB)
Niroshan MUNASINGE (SRI)
Marc DIETSCHE (SUI)
Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK)
Perman HOMMADOV (TKM)
Servet COSKUN (TUR)
Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR)
Zain RETHERFORD (USA)
ABHIMANYOU (UWW)
Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)

74kg
Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN)
Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM)
Simon MARCHL (AUT)
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
Cesar BORDEAUX (BRA)
Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN)
Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL)
Adam THOMSON (CAN)
Feng LU (CHN)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Erik REINBOK (EST)
Bacar NDUM (GBS)
Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)
Tim MUELLER (GER)
Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN)
Yones EMAMI (IRI)
Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR)
Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)
Daichi TAKATANI (JPN)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
Mathayo MAHABILA (KEN)
Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ)
Seungchul LEE (KOR)
Vasile DIACON (MDA)
Anthony VALENCIA (MEX)
Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)
Marko ANDONOV (MKD)
Inayat ULLAH (PAK)
Kamil RYBICKI (POL)
Shane JONES (PUR)
Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU)
Mamadou DIOUF (SEN)
Mamudu MARAH (SLE)
Malik AMINE (SMR)
Hetik CABOLOV (SRB)
Udayantha FERNANDO (SRI)
Tobias PORTMANN (SUI)
Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
Magomet EVLOEV (TJK)
Kakageldi AGAYEV (TKM)
Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)
Jamal ABDUL (UGA)
Tymur HUDYMA (UKR)
Kyle DAKE (USA)
NAVEEN (UWW)
Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB)
Anthony MONTERO (VEN)

79kg
Andrei KARPACH (AIN)
Chems  FETAIRIA (ALG)
Francisco KADIMA (ANG)
Arman AVAGYAN (ARM)
Orkhan ABASOV (AZE)
Mihail GEORGIEV (BUL)
Jasmit PHULKA (CAN)
Peilong LI (CHN)
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)
Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI)
Yuto MIWA (JPN)
Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ)
Gunwoo LEE (KOR)
Alans AMIROVS (LAT)
Raul PALACIOS (MEX)
Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Stefan DIMITROV (MKD)
Krisztian BIRO (ROU)
Zaur EFENDIEV (SRB)
Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK)
Gurbanmyrat OVEZBERDIYEV (TKM)
Ramazan SARI (TUR)
Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR)
Chandler MARSTELLER (USA)
Sachin MOR (UWW)
Iman MAHDAVI (UWW)

86kg
Rasul TSIKHAYEU (AIN)
Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS)
Benjamin GREIL (AUT)
Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN)
Ilia HRISTOV (BUL)
Alexander MOORE (CAN)
Zushen LIN (CHN)
Carlos IZQUIERDO (COL)
Matteo MONTEIRO (CPV)
Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB)
Taimuraz FRIEV (ESP)
Aimar ANDRUSE (EST)
Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)
Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO)
Lars SCHAEFLE (GER)
Patrik PUESPOEKI (HUN)
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)
Matthew FINESILVER (ISR)
William RAFFI (ITA)
Erzo ISAKOV (JOR)
Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
Mark ONGUYESI (KEN)
Narbek IZABEKOV (KGZ)
Deakyu KANG (KOR)
Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT)
Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU)
Roman MANITRA RAHARISON (MAD)
Sofiane PADIOU BELMIR (MAR)
Ivan ICHIZLI (MDA)
Noel TORRES (MEX)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Dejan MITROV (MKD)
Muhammad INAM (PAK)
Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL)
Ethan RAMOS (PUR)
Andrei FRANT (ROU)
Myles AMINE (SMR)
Sanjith BAPTIST (SRI)
Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI)
Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Yanaal BARAZE (SYR)
Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM)
Osman GOCEN (TUR)
Ivan MASAKWE (UGA)
Vladyslav PRUS (UKR)
David TAYLOR (USA)
Sandeep Singh MANN (UWW)
Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB)
Pedro CEBALLOS (VEN)

92kg
Hajy RAJABAU (AIN)
Artunes PEDRO (ANG)
Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Akhmed MAGAMAEV(BUL)
Tejvir BOAL (CAN)
Xiao SUN (CHN)
Arturo SILOT (CUB)
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Balazs JUHASZ (HUN)
Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)
Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR)
Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR)
Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)
Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)
Dan CHEPTAI (KEN)
Woomin JANG (KOR)
Ion DEMIAN (MDA)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL)
Michal BIELAWSKI (POL)
Ermak KARDANOV (SVK)
Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)
Denys SAHALIUK (UKR)
Zahid VALENCIA (USA)
Pruthviraj PATIL (UWW)
Rustam SHODIEV (UZB)

97kg
Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (AIN)
Sergey SARGSYAN (ARM)
Thomas BARNS (AUS)
Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)
Ahmed BATAEV (BUL)
Nishan Preet RANDHAWA (CAN)
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN)
Carlos ANGULO (COL)
Maxwell LACEY (CRC)
Mostafa ELDERS (EGY)
Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)
Erik THIELE (GER)
Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN)
Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI)
Benjamin HONIS (ITA)
Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN)
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ)
Jaegang KIM (KOR)
Lukas KRASAUSKAS (LTU)
Radu LEFTER (MDA)
Badamdorj BALTMUNKH (MGL)
Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD)
Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL)
Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA)
Strahinja DESPIC (SRB)
Samuel SCHERRER (SUI)
Utah MANN (TGA)
Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM)
Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR)
Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR)
Kyle SNYDER (USA)
SAHIL (UWW)
Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB)

125kg
Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (AIN)
Paris KAREPI (ALB)
Catriel MURIEL (ARG)
Johannes LUDESCHER (AUT)
Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)
Islam ADIZOV (BUL)
Bali SOU (CAM)
Zhiwei DENG (CHN)
Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY)
Jose CUBA (ESP)
Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER)
Daniel LIGETI (HUN)
Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)
Abraham CONYEDO (ITA)
Aaron JOHNSON (JAM)
Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN)
Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)
Joel TUKAI (KEN)
Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ)
Donghwan KIM (KOR)
Eduardo GARCIA (MEX)
Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Robert BARAN (POL)
Jonovan SMITH (PUR)
Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB)
Oma SAREM (SYR)
Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM)
Taha AKGUL (TUR)
Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)
Lucas DAVISON (USA)
SUMIT (UWW)
Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)
Jose DIAZ (VEN)

#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog: World Championships, Day 7

Friday, September 16, 2022 - 08:18 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 16) -- The World Championships enter day seven with three freestyle weight classes. Defending world champions in all three weights are wrestling in Belgrade. Thomas GILLMAN (USA) at 57kg, Kyle DAKE (USA) at 74kg and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) at 97kg are in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals are set

57kg
Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. Wanhao ZOU (CHN)
Stevan MICIC (SRB) vs. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)

74kg
Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
Kyle DAKE (USA) vs. Yones EMAMI (IRI)

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Jden COX (USA) vs. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)

14:09: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) goes ahead with a stepout in the second period, then clinches the win with a takedown at the edge to beat Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) 4-1 to advance to the 74kg semifinals.

14:05: Younes EMAMI (IRI) begins with a spin for four over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE). He moves to defensive mode but Bayramov pulls off an arm spin but only for two. He challenges but lost challenge. Bayramov with two more but he trails 5-4. Emami with a stepout and a late takedown for an 8-4.

14:05: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), chasing his third world and first since 2017, cuts it close once again but he's into the 74kg semifinals with a 6-3 win over Hetik CABOLOV (SRB). Cabolov ties up the legs to score a takedown to go up 3-1 a minute into the second period, but Chamizo reverses for a point. Back on their feet, Chamizo spins behind to take the lead 4-3 with :50 left. Cabolov has a chance to win it when he gets in on a single and lifts the leg in the air, but Chamizo not only defends, he gets a 2-point exposure.

13:57: How about that from Kyle DAKE (USA)! A huge body lock and he throws Sagar JAGLAN (IND) for a huge five. He gets the fall and a place in the 74kg semifinals.

13:53: He had to wrestle the full six minutes but Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) never looked in trouble. He confirms his place in the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:52: The two bronze medalists at 92kg a year ago in Oslo will square off later tonight for a place in the final after both Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and J'den COX (USA) won their quarterfinals by 11-0 technical fall. Nurmagomedov finished off his rout with a takedown and four rolls off the lace lock, while Cox used a takedown and gut wrench.

13:50: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) gave up two points to Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) but he rolls into the semifinals with a 12-2 technical superiority.

13:43: Local favorite Stevan MICIC (SRB) spends the first period fending off low single attempts by Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), who only gets an activity point for his effort. Micic spins behind for a takedown in the second period, then twists the Japanese down for 4. An unsuccessful challenge gives Micic a 7-1.

13:41: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) starts his 57kg quarterfinal by lifting Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) up high for a 4-point takedown. He ends it with a takedown and three rolls off the lock for a 13-2 technical fall.

13:40: Thomas GILMAN (USA) is up against Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and he is up 4-0 with two takedowns. Gilman gives up a point in the second period. He moves into the semifinals with a 5-1.

13:33: 57kg quarterfinals with Darian CRUZ (PUR) and former U23 world bronze medalist Wanhao ZOU (CHN). Cruz is called passive and Zou has a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Cruz gets the point for Zou's passivity. He leads 1-1 on criteria. Zou with a takedown with 16 seconds remaining. He wins the quarterfinal 3-1.

13:26: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), holding the lead on criteria, scores a takedown with :12 left to clinch a 3-1 victory over Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) and fill the final quarterfinal spot at 74kg.

13:06: Only a few matches on Mat A to finish up before the start of the quarterfinals, in which all of the matches in each weight are started concurrently. Meanwhile, Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) fills the final last-8 spot at 92kg with an 8-0 win over Simone IANNATTONI (ITA). Still two matches at 74kg to go.

12:57: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), holding the criteria advantage, prevents Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) from finishing off a deep takedown in the final seconds of their match at 92kg, and manages to keep his whizzer and a knee down as they go out of bounds with :01 left. The Japanese side challenges, but the call of no point is confirmed, giving Maisuradze a 2-1 and a place in the quarterfinals.

12:51: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), a bronze medalist a year ago in Oslo at 92kg and the world U23 champion, gets a quick takedown and a pair of gut wrenches against Maxwell LACEY (CRC). Back on his feet, Nurmagomedov spins behind for a takedown, then a quick roll and it's over at 10-0 at 2:14 and he's into the quarterfinals.

12:47: Sagar JAGLAN (IND), a bronze medalist from world U20 in Sofia, picks up another technical superiority win against Diego SANDOVAL (MEX). He will now face Kyle DAKE (USA) in the quarterfinal.

12:38: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) continues to play with fire. After leading 5-0 against Seungbong LEE (KOR), he gives up four points. A takedown helps him lead 7-4 before he wins 11-4

12:33: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), who finished 7th at the Tokyo Olympics, just knocked off the silver medalist, Ravi DAHIYA (IND), and in a dominant fashion. Abdullaev scores exposure points when Dahiya tried to counter by coming over the top and finishes off a 10-0 technical fall with his third takedown of the match.

12:33: Kyle DAKE (USA) with a workman-like technical superiority win on Mat C against Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL). Dake's big attacks are working well and he is now into the quarterfinals.

12:30: On Mat D, Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) keeps Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) on his toes with his constant attacks. But Bujiashvili also defends well. A scramble gives them two each with Hasegawa leading 4-2. He ultimately wins 8-2.

12:27: Returning silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), who won his second straight European gold earlier this year, dumps Cesar BORDEAUX (BRA) for a second 4-point takedown of the match to finish off a 12-0 technical fall at 74kg.

12:20: Minutes after Ghasempour won his bout, J'den COX (USA) comes on the mat against Yuxiang BI (CHN). He gets the grand amplitude throw for five and guts to win 10-0.

12:17: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) comes out blazing against  Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA) and is up 7-0 in no time. He continues his quick attacks and wins 10-0 inside the first period.

12:15: Reigning world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) up against Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS) and he dumps him for a four and then adds a stepout. Okorokov does well to keep Gilman quiet for a long time but he ultimately goes down 11-0.

12:13: Asian bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) rallies for a stunning 6-6 victory over Asian silver medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) at 74kg. Trailing 6-0 in the second period, Takatani constantly fights off Kaipanov's counter lifts to score the three takedowns he needs, with the third and final one coming with :01 on the clock! It's quite a scalp for Takatani, as Kaipanov is a two-time Asian champion and was a world silver medalist at 70kg in 2019.

12:12: Stevan MICIC (SRB) began slowly with just a takedown in the first period. But he unleashes a leg lace in the second period and secures a 12-1 win over Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ)

12:06: Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) gets a fall over former U20 world champion silver medalist Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) at 57kg. Uses a cradle to get the pin.

12:02: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB), who won world silver in 2017, gets a 4-point takedown en route to a 10-0 technical fall for the home team over Kamil RYBICKI (POL) at 74kg.

11:56: Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) gives no chance to Asomiddin HASANOV (UZB) and moves into the 1/8 finals with a 10-0 technical superiority at 74kg.

11:50: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) may have underestimated his opening bout opponent Giorgi SULAVA (GEO). The Georgian raced to a 6-0 lead before Chamizo got a takedown and three exposures to lead 8-6. Sulava did score another takedown but Chamizo managed to scrape through for a 12-8 win.

11:38: Defending world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) with his big moves against Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) and he starts with a 10-0 at 74kg. He is followed by Younes EMAMI (IRI) who wins 10-0 against Enrique PEREZ (GUA) in one minute.

11:37: Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN), who won a 2014 bronze medal at 74kg, is now wrestling at 92kg, and opened with a 10-0 technical fall over Jinmyeong KIM (KOR). Takatani competed in his third Olympics in Tokyo at 86kg. His younger brother Daichi is entered in his old weight class of 74kg.

11:30: Asian champion and Olympic silver medalist Ravi DAHIYA (IND), looking to become just the second world freestyle champion in Indian history, overwhelms Razvan KOVACS (ROU) at 57kg with a 10-0 technical fall.

11:25: Vicky HOODA (IND) must be kicking himself. He had a 3-0 lead for the longest time but Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) scored four points in the final minute to win the 92kg bout 4-3.

11:18: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) was made to work a little but he wins 11-0 against Diamantino FAFE (GBS) at 57kg.

11:14: Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) and Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) showing the quality at 57kg. Hasegawa got a 10-4 lead with his quirky style but Kerymov got a headlock for four. Hasegawa survived the pin but could not remain at the same level and Hasegawa wins 16-9.

11:13: The horn-honking and chanting from the Iranian fans begins long before 2021 silver medalist Alireza SARLAK (IRI) takes the mat against Wanhou ZOU (CHN) at 57kg, but the Chinese spoils the fun with a dramatic 6-2 win. Just as Sarlak is receiving an activity point to go ahead 2-1, Zou scores a takedown with :30 left. In a last-second scramble, Sarlak goes for the counter lift, but it's Zou who scores an exposure.

11:07: European champion Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) repeats his victory from the semifinals in Budapest over Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM), but has a much harder time than that 10-0 win in June. He barely grapevines his leg in for a takedown in the final seconds for a 7-5 win.

11:05: Reineri ORTEGA (CUB) warms up with an 11-0 technical superiority over Jakobo TAU (RSA) and he moves into the 1/8 finals.

11:00: U23 world champion  Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) was looking for the fall against Sunggwon KIM (KOR) in at 57kg but Kim survives that. But he can't stop Rzazade from winning the bout 4-4 on criteria. Kim had a stepout and passivity while Rzazade had two takedowns.

10:55: Franklin MAREN (CUB), a world bronze medalist in 2018, loses 12-2 to  Zielimkhan TOHUZOV (UKR) in the qualification round at 74kg. Tohuzov executes a beautiful fireman's carry for 4. After Maren responds with takedown, Tohuzov gets a takedown and rolls back-and-forth for the win. With 34 entries in the weight class, Tohuzov will have to win three more times just to make tonight's semifinals.

10:29: Hello from the Stark Arena in Belgrade for the morning session of Day 8. Competition continues in freestyle with the qualification rounds through the quarterfinals at 57kg, 74kg and 92kg. Enjoy!