#WrestleBelgrade

Freestyle seeds announced for '22 World Championships

Monday, August 22, 2022 - 14:05 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 22) --United World Wrestling has released the tentative top eight seeds for the 2022 World Championships, which take place in Belgrade, Serbia, September 10-18. 

Wrestlers earned points towards their seed through participation and placement at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, 2021 World Championships, 2022 Continental Championships, 2022 Ranking Series events, and selected Regional Games (SEA and Mediterranean Games).

Hypothetically speaking, if the seeds were to hold through the finals in the top-eight seeded system, here's how the bracket will play out leading up to the gold-medal match:

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

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

Finals:
No. 1 vs. No. 2 

If we know one thing, it's impossible to predict how the brackets will play out. But having the seeded systems helps come up with hypothetical matches that fans could potentially see in Belgrade.

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

57kg SEEDS:
No. 1 Thomas GILMAN (USA)
No. 2 Ravi KUMAR (IND)
No. 3 Horst LEHR (GER)
No. 4 Alireza SARLAK (IRI)
No. 5 Vladimir EGOROV (MKD)
No. 6 Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO)
No. 7 Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL)
No. 8 Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR)

If seeds hold at 57kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. No. 8 Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR)
No. 4 Alireza SARLAK (IRI) vs. No. 5 Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) 
No. 2 Ravi KUMAR (IND) vs. No. 7 Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL)
No. 3 Horst LEHR (GER) vs. No. 6 Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. No. 4 Alireza SARLAK (IRI)
No. 2 Ravi KUMAR (IND) vs. No. 3 Horst LEHR (GER)

Finals:
No. 1 Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. No. 2 Ravi KUMAR (IND)

Gilman holds top seed; Ravi undefeated at 57kg
On the top side of the bracket at 57kg, world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) commands the top seed. The American earned his top seed after finishing with a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games and podium-topping finishes at the World Championships, Pan-American Championships, and the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event. 

To reach his second consecutive world finals, Gilman will have to get through No. 8 Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) in the quarters before squaring off against the winner of No. 4 Alireza SARLAK (IRI) and No. 5 Vladimir EGOROV (MKD). 

Depending on how things play out, if Gilman and Sarlak reach the semifinals, it would be their third meeting since last October's World Championships. The American was victorious in their world finals and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series semifinal meetings.

On the bottom side of the 57kg chart, Ravi KUMAR (IND) holds the second seed. The Olympic silver medalist's road to the finals will likely go through No. 7 Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL) before meeting the winner of No. 3 Horst LEHR (GER) and No. 6 Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO).

61kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
No. 2 Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL)
No. 3 Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
No. 4 Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
No. 5 Eduard GRIGOREV (POL)
No. 6 Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO)
No. 7 Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)
No. 8 Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)

If seeds hold at 61kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. No. 8 Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)
No. No. 4 Suleyman ATLI (TUR) vs. 5 Eduard GRIGOREV (POL)
No. 2 Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) vs.No. 7 Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)
No. 3 Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) vs. No. 6 Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. No. 4 Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 
No. 2 Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) vs. No. 3 Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)  

Finals:
No. 1 Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. No. 2 Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)

Harutyunyan headlines 61kg seeds
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) headlines the upper half of the bracket as the top guy at 61kg. However, his road will be significantly more challenging than second-seeded Georgi VANGELOV (BUL).

Harutyunyan earned his top billing after a bronze medal finish at last year's World Championships and a gold-medal winning showing at the European Championships. Although it did not count towards his Ranking Series point total, the Armenian sandwiched a U23 world title between the Senior World Championships and the European Championships. 

To improve his bronze-medal finish at the 2021 World Championships, Harutyunyan will have to beat Japan's Rio Olympic runner-up No. 8 Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in the quarterfinals. Then, he'll share the mat with the winner of No. 4 Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and No. 5 Eduard GRIGOREV (POL).

Vangelov will wrestle No. 7 Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) in the lower-side quarterfinals. If he wins against Bazarganov, he'll go toe-to-toe with whoever is victorious between No. 3 Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) and No. 6 Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO).

65kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND)
No. 3 Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR)
No. 4 Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
No. 5 Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ)
No. 6 Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)
No. 7 Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
No. 8 Munir Recep AKTAS (TUR)

If seeds hold at 65kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. No. 8 Munir Recep AKTAS (TUR)
No. 4 Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) vs. 5 Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) 
No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) vs. No. 7 Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
No. 3 Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR) vs. No. 6 Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. No. 4 Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) vs. No. 3 Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR)

Finals:
No. 1 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND)

Aliyev ascends to top of 65kg seeds
Haji ALIYEV (AZE) headlines arguably the most fan-favorite freestyle weight of the Championships. The three-time world champion moved to the top of the seeds with his podium finishes at the Olympic Games, European Championships and Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event. He finished with silvers at the Olympics and Euros and a bronze at the Italian Ranking Series stop.

To become the first Azeri wrestler to win four world titles, Aliyev will have to take out No. 8 Munir AKTAS (TUR) before clashing with the winner of and No. 4 Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) and No. 5 Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ).

If Aliyev and Muszukajev remain on the winning track through the semifinals, it'd be a third meeting between the superstars since late 2020. The Hungarian has the two matches advantage over the Azeri coming into Belgrade, having won their meetings at the 2020 Individual World Cup and the 2022 European Championships.

On the lower side of the chart, Olympic bronze medalist No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) will have to get through the formidable No. 7 Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) before meeting the winner of No. 3 Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR) and No. 6 Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL).

70kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
No. 2 Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)
No. 3 Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
No. 4 Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
No. 5 Amirmohammad Babak YAZDANICHERATI (IRI)
No. 6 Zain Allen RETHERFORD (USA)
No. 7 Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)

If seeds hold at 70kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Bacar NDUM (GBS)
No. 4 Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) vs. No. 5 Amirmohammad YAZDANICHERATI (IRI) 
No. 2 Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) vs. No. 7 Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)
No. 3 Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) vs. No. 6 Zain Allen RETHERFORD (USA)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. No. 4 Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
No. 2 Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)vs. No. 3 Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)

Finals:
No. 1 Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. No. 2 Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)

Akmataliev ascends to top seed at 70kg
After securing second-place finishes at the 2021 World Championships and 2022 Asian Championships, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) locked up the No. 1 seed at 70kg.

Akmataliev is positioned on the top side of the bracket to take on No. 8 Bacar NDUM (GBS) in the quarters. Then, in the semifinals, he'll likely square off against the winner of No. 4 Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) and 2021 world runner-up No. 5 Amirmohammad YAZDANICHERATI (IRI).

On the bottom side of the chart, reigning world bronze medalist Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) holds the second seed. He'll compete against No. 7 Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) for a shot to wrestle the winner of No. 3 Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) and No. 6 Zain Allen RETHERFORD (USA).

74kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA)
No. 2 Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
No. 3 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA)
No. 4 Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
No. 5 Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)
No. 6 Hetik CABOLOV (SRB)
No. 7 Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)
No. 8 Mitchell Louis FINESILVER (ISR)

If seeds hold at 74kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Kyle DAKE (USA) vs. No. 8 Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR)
No. No. 4 Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs. 5 Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)
No. 2 Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs. No. 7 Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)
No. 3 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) vs. No. 6 Hetik CABOLOV (SRB)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA) vs. No. 4 Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
No. 2 Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs No. 3 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA)

Finals:
No. 1 Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA) vs. No. 2 Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

Dake dons top seed at 74kg
Kyle DAKE (USA) dons the top seed at 74kg and heads into Belgrade ready to navigate a seemly easier road to the finals than his two biggest rivals, No. 3 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) and No. 2 Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK).

Dake earned his top seed by winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games and finishing atop the podium at the World and Pan-American Championships.

The three other seeded guys who Dake will share the upper half of the bracket with are No. 8 Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR), No. 4 Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and No. 5 Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI). He'll have Finesilver in the quarters and Bayramov or Emamichoghaei for a finals shot. 

On the bottom side, Salkazanov is the on-paper favorite to take on Dake in the world finals, which would be a rematch of last year's Oslo gold-medal bout. But to do so, he'll have to get through Rio Olympic bronze medalist No. 7 Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), then will square off against the winner of the world champion matchup between No. 3 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) and No. 6 Hetik CABOLOV (SRB).

If Salkazanov and Chamizo reach the semifinals, it'll be a rematch of the 2021 and 2022 European Championships, where the Slovakian wrestler was victorious in both matches.

79kg Seeds: 
No .1 Jordan Ernest BURROUGHS (USA)
No. 2 Mohammad Ashghar NOKHODILARIMI (IRI)
No. 3 Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
No. 4 Arman AVAGYAN (ARM)
No. 5 Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)
No. 6 Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR)
No. 7 Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA)
No. 8 Baliyan GOURAV (IND)

If seeds hold at 79kg:

Quarterfinals:
No .1 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs. No. 8 Baliyan GOURAV (IND)
No. No. 4 Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) vs. 5 Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) 
No. 2 Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) vs. No. 7 Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA)
No. 3 Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) vs. No. 6 Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR)

Semifinals:
No .1 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs. No. 4 Arman AVAGYAN (ARM)
No. 2 Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) vs. No. 3 Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)

Finals:
No .1 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs. No. 2 Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI)

Burroughs bags top billing at 79kg

Last year's world finals opponents No. 1 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and No. 2 Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) are positioned on opposite sides of the 79kg chart. Therefore, they wouldn't meet again unless they remained undefeated until the gold-medal bout. 

Looking for his sixth world title, Burroughs earned the top billing after winning gold at the World Championships, Pan-American Championships, and the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event.

Burroughs will have to get through No. 8 Baliyan GOURAV (IND) in the quarterfinals, and then the winner of the fourth and five matchup between No. 4 Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) and No. 5 Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). 

Nokholdilarimi's road to the finals will travel first through No. 7 Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA) on the lower side of the bracket. Then, if he beats the French wrestler in the quarterfinals, he'll wrestle reigning European champion No. 3 Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) or No. 6 Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR).

86kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI)
No. 2 David Morris TAYLOR III (USA)
No. 3 Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR)
No. 4 Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
No. 5 Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
No. 6 Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
No. 7 Deepak PUNIA (IND)
No. 8 Ethan Adrian RAMOS (PUR)

If seeds hold at 86kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) vs. No. 8 Ethan RAMOS (PUR)
No. 4 Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) vs. 5 Boris MAKOEV (SVK) 
No. 2 David Morris TAYLOR III (USA) vs. No. 7 Deepak PUNIA (IND)
No. 3 Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR) vs. No. 6 Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) vs. No. 4 Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
No. 2 David Morris TAYLOR III (USA) vs. No. 3 Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR)

Finals:
No. 1 Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) vs. No. 2 David Morris TAYLOR III (USA)

Yazdani and Taylor sit on opposite sides of 86kg bracket

Olympic champions Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) and David TAYLOR III (USA) are seeded first and second, respectively, at 86kg. This means fans must wait until the gold-medal bout to see the potential fifth meeting between the pair of massive superstars.

Yazdani, known by wrestling fans worldwide as "The Greatest," used his Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series gold to inch his way past Taylor for the weight's top seed.

After his runner-up finish in Tokyo, Yazdani strung together gold-medal performances at the World Championships and the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup and beat the American out for the top spot by 6,400 points. 

Yazdani's first seeded opponent would come in the quarterfinals, as he'll likely see No. 8 Ethan RAMOS (PUR). Then, Yazdani would wrestle his 2017 world finals opponenet No. 5 Boris MAKOEV (SVK) or world bronze medalist No. 4 Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) for a spot in the semifinals.

Tokyo Olympic champion will have a significantly more challenging road to the finals than his Iranian rival. In the quarterfinals, he'll square off against arguably the weight's best defensive wrestler in Tokyo Olympic fifth-place finisher No. 7 Deepak PUNIA (IND). If he gets past the Indian youngster, he'll have to beat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist No. 3 Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR) or No. 6 Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ).

92kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI)
No. 2 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
No. 3 Jden COX (USA)
No. 4 Andrii VLASOV (UKR)
No. 5 Viky VIKY (IND)
No. 6 Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ)
No. 7 Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
No. 8 Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)

If seeds hold at 92kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs. No. 8 Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)
No. 4 Andrii VLASOV (UKR) vs. No. 5 Viky VIKY (IND)
No. 2 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. No. 7 Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
No. 3 Jden COX (USA) No. 6 Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs. No. 4 Andrii VLASOV (UKR)
No. 2 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. No. 3 Jden COX (USA)

Finals:
No. 1 Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs. No. 2 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)

Ghasempour grabs top seed at 92kg

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) headlines the top of the chart at 92kg after winning gold at the World Championships and Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series. Dating back to 2018, the Iranian has won 10 consecutive competitions – including a pair of U23 world titles, senior-level world gold, and two Asian championship titles.

Ghasempour sits on opposite sides of the bracket from two-time world champion and Rio Olympic bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) and wouldn't see his rival until the gold-medal match. But to get to Cox, Ghasempour will have to take out No. 8 Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL) in the quarters and either No. 4 Andrii VLASOV (UKR) or No. 5 Viky VIKY (IND) in the semifinals.

On the bottom side, No. 2 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) will have his hands full on his way to the finals. First, he'll have to beat No. 7 Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), then the winner of third-seeded Cox and No. 6 Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ).

97kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA)
No. 2 Magomedgadji Omardibirovich NUROV (MKD)
No. 3 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
No. 4 Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR)
No. 5 Mohammadhossein Askari MOHAMMADIAN (IRI)
No. 6 Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)
No. 7 Radu LEFTER (MDA)
No. 8 Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)

If seeds hold at 97kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA) vs. No. 8 Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)
No. 4 Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR) vs. No. 5 Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) 
No. 2 Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) vs. No. 7 Radu LEFTER (MDA)
No. 3 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) vs. No. 6 Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs. No. 4 Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR)
No. 2 Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) vs. No. 3 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)

Finals:
No. 1 Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs. No. 2 Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD)

Snyder snags No. 1 seed at 97kg

In the absence of the Russian Wrestling Federations' Abdulrashid SADULAEV, Kyle SNYDER (USA) seized the top seed at 97kg. After runner-up finishes to Sadulaev at the Olympic Games and World Championships, Snyder won the Ivan Yariguin, Pan-American Championships Zouhaier Sghaier Tournament, the latter of the two being point-earning competitions, and will sit on the top side of the bracket.

Snyder shouldn't have trouble with his potential quarterfinals opponent No. 8 Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ). But "Captian America" will have his hands full if No. 5 Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) can get past No. 4 Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR) in the other top side quarterfinal.

In Snyder and Mohammadian's last meeting, the Iranian pinned the Olympic champion in the second period after commanding control of the entire first period.

On the bottom side of the chart, No. 2 Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) will see No. 7 Radu LEFTER (MDA) in the quarterfinals before tussling with either No. 3 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) or No. 6 Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) for a spot in the finals.

125kg Seeds: 
No. 1 Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
No. 2 Taha AKGUL (TUR)
No. 3 Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI)
No. 4 Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
No. 5 Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER)
No. 6 Robert BARAN (POL)
No. 7 Zhiwei DENG (CHN)
No. 8 Amarveer DHESI (CAN)

If seeds hold at 125kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) vs. No. 8 Amarveer DHESI (CAN)
No. 5 Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) vs. No. 4 Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
No. 2 Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. No. 7 Zhiwei DENG (CHN)
No. 3 Amir Abbas ZARE (IRI) vs. No. 6 Robert BARAN (POL)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) vs. No. 4 Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
No. 2 Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. No. 3 Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI)

Finals:
No. 1 Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) vs. No. 2 Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Petriashvilii picks up top spot at 125kg

Georgian superstar Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) heads to Belgrade as the No. 1 seeded wrestler at 125kg.

Petriashvilii picked up weight's top seed with second-place finishes at the Olympic Games World Championships and European Championships and first-place finishes at the Matteo Pellicone and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series events.

More importantly, Petriashvilii put himself on the opposite side of the bracket from the last two guys who beat him, No. 2 Taha AKGUL (TUR) and No. 3 Amir ZARE (IRI). He now sits on the same side as Commonwealth Games champ No. 8 Amarveer DHESI (CAN), who he'll have in the quarterfinals, and No. 4 Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) and No. 5 Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER). The three-time world champ will have to get through the winner of Munkhtur or Cudinovic to reach his fifth consecutive 125kg world finals.

Olympic champion Akgul earned the second seed at 125kg but will a tough road if he wants to reach the world finals for the fifth time. First, he'll have to get through world bronze-medal winner No. 7 Zhiwei DENG (CHN) before setting up a second meeting with Zare, who defeated Akgul en route to last year's world-title run. 

For the matchup between Akgul and Zare to happen, the Iranian has to remain unbeaten until the quarterfinals, where he'll have to defeat No. 6 Robert BARAN (POL).

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships WW 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg semis set

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - 00:32 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 20) -- All women's wrestling day as the World Championships enters its fifth day. Three Olympic and one non-Olympic weight classes were in action on Tuesday and three more Olympic weight classes, 53kg, 62kg and 68kg, will be in action on Wednesday. One non-Olympic weight class in action is 72kg.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

14:38: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gains a first-period takedown, and that proves to be the minimum to get her over the line and into the 62kg semifinals with a 2-2 victory over Iryna KOLIADENKO (URK). Koliadenko scores a stepout with one second left on the activity clock, then Tynybekova comes back with a double-leg takedown. In the second period, Koliadenko gains another stepout, but it is not enough to keep Tynybekova from winning on criteria. The result was far different than their semifinal at the Tokyo Olympics, which Tynybekova won 10-0.  Tynybekova will next face Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), pulled off a last-second victory over Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL).

14:27: Grace BULLEN (NOR) is into the semifinals at 62kg! She blasts Kriszta INCZE (ROU) 10-0 in the quarterfinals. She will have to get through Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) in the semifinals after the Japanese beat Lias NUNES (BRA) 10-0.

14:22: Having taken one major scalp already, Bose CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) will get a chance for another after whipping Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) 8-0 in their 68kg quarterfinal. That puts Cavusoglu Tosun into the semifinals against Ishii. The Turk pulled off a major upset in the first round when she ousted Irina RINGACI (MDA)

14:22: A double 2-1 win at 68kg! Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) takes out Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) while Emma BRUNTIL (USA) beats Vusala PARFIANOVICH (AIN). They both face each other

14:15: Ami ISHII (JPN) gets a free pass into the 68kg semifinals with a victory by injury default over Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) who injured her knee in her previous bout

14:10: Teen star Amit ELOR (USA) proves too much for fellow 2022 world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), scoring a pair of takedowns and two activity points in a 6-0 victory to advance to the 72kg semifinals. Elor is the defending champion, while Morikawa triumphed at 65kg last year.

14:08: At 72kg, Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) beats Sofia GEORGIEVA (BUL) and she will now take on two-time silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) in the semifinal. Bakbergenova defeated Kseniia BURAKOVA (AIN)    

13:58: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) survives the biggest scare of her international career when Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) comes roaring out of the gate in their 53kg quarterfinal and tags the Japanese for five points. Fujinami recovers from the shock to notch three takedowns to go into the break up 6-5. In the second period, she gains a takedown and three lace-lock rolls to move one point from a technical fall, but Yepez Guzman fires back with a double-leg takedown. Fujinami responds with a barrel roll to the back, then gets a headlock and scores a fall. It was the most points ever scored against Fujinami by a non-Japanese opponent. Fujinami had beaten Yepez Guzman twice before, including a 10-0 win at this year's Zagreb Open in February.

13:55: Emma MALMGREN (SWE) with a big four over Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) but the Tokyo bronze medalist comes back to score a takedown and a stepout to win 6-4. Kaladzinskaya is into the semifinals and she will take on ANTIM (IND). On Mat A, Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) is back in the semifinal with a 1-1 win over Andreea ANA (ROU).

13:45: Grace BULLEN (NOR) saved her big four-pointer for the second period. She hits Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) with a big throw and confirms the fall to move into the 62kg quarterfinals.

13:40: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) uses her big throws to put Ana GODINEZ (CAN) on her back and secure a 13-7 win at 62kg. She moves into the quarterfinal and will face Luisa NIEMESCH (GER).

13:28: No wasting any time for Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). The two-time champion gets a 4-point takedown right off the bat against Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA), then stacks her up for a fall in 49 seconds that puts her into the 62kg quarterfinals.

13:25: At 62kg, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) joins her Ikuei University teammate Ishii in the quarterfinals by also beating a Bulgarian opponent. Motoki, the 59kg champ last year, scores two takedowns in the first period and concedes nothing in a 4-0 victory over 2021 59kg gold medalist Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

13:20: Emma BRUNTIL (USA) takes on Feng ZHOU (CHN) at 68kg. She moves into the quarterfinals. Bruntil's 6-3 win over Zhou puts her against Vusala PARFIANOVICH (AIN) who just upset Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) with a late takedown and win 2-2

13:14: Ami ISHII (JPN) survives a late rally and a tenuous situation at the hands of European champion Yuliana YELEVA (BUL) to advance to the 68kg quarterfinals with an 8-4 victory. Ishii had gone up 8-0 in the second period with a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches, when Yeleva scored a takedown and was on the verge of turning Ishii over. But the Japanese managed to hold firm and squirm out of the predicament, enabling her to keep a big lead which came into play when Yeleva scored a late takedown.

13:02: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) with a huge 9-2 win over Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN) in the 53kg 1/16 finals. She will face Malmgren in the quarterfinals

12:55: Young Amit ELOR (USA) begins defense of her 72kg title by scoring three takedowns in a 7-0 victory over Nesrin BAS (TUR), the 2022 world U23 champion at 68kg. That sets up a final-worthy quarterfinal with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), the 65kg champion a year ago who held off QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) 5-2 on the adjacent mat.

12:52: European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) scores a second passivity point to see off Samantha STEWART (CAN) 2-1 and reach the 53kg semifinals. On Mat A, Andreea ANA (ROU) with a 9-0 shutout over Iulia LEORDA (MDA) to reach the semifinal against Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

12:44: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) with a fall over Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) and she moves into the quarterfinals at 53kg. She will have to beat Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) to book her spot to the semifinals.

12:33: Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) becomes the latest victim of the upset bug. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), a bronze medalist last year, scores a 4-point takedown in the final seconds to pull out an 8-4 victory.

12:32: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) cruises into the 53kg quarterfinals, adding two lace-lock rolls to her third takedown in a 10-0 victory over Jeongbin OH (KOR) in 1:32. Her winning streak is now at 124.

12:31: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) hangs on for a 75- win over Jia LONG (CHN) in the 62kg 1/16 final. Purevdorj is an Asian silver medalist while Long was the champion at 65kg at the Asian event

12:25: Grace BULLEN (NOR) with a fall over Angelina RODRIGUES (CPV) at 62kg. Bullen was a silver medalist at 59kg last year. Rodrigues is the first-ever woman wrestler from Cape Verde

12:21: Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA, aiming for her third world title at 62kg, has her hands full with  Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL). Tynybekova leads 4-2 in the second period when she powers a double-leg takedown to the back for 4, then stacks up Wolczynska for a fall.

12:10: Quick win at 62kg for Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), the 59kg champion last year who moved up to the Olympic weight and beat out world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) for the spot on the Japan team to Belgrade. A takedown to the back and three lace-lock rolls give Motoki a 10-0 win over Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB) in 46 seconds. Next up is Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) in a clash of the last two gold medalists at 59kg

12:09: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) with a fall over Tokyo bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) after leading 14-7 in the 57kg repechage. Adekuoroye will now wrestle for bronze and an Olympic quota.

12:03: Adeline GRAY (USA) secures a fall at the first-period buzzer in her 76kg repechage match against Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) to earn a place in the bronze-medal match later tonight. Not only will the six-time champion Gray be going for her ninth career world medal, and first bronze since 2011, but just as importantly the Paris Olympic quota that goes with it.

11:46: The first major shock of the day comes on Mat C, and Irina RINCACI (MDA) is the victim. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) takes Rincaci down with a half-nelson right to her back, then clamps down for a fall at 68kg. Rincaci had started off with a takedown, but paid the price for letting her guard down. Rincaci made history in 2021 when won the 65kg title to become Moldova's first-ever female world champion, and won a bronze last year at 68kg.

11:42: Ami ISHII (JPN) launches her bid to improve on her 68kg silver from last year by quickly dispatching Dieu Thuoug LAI (VIE). An ankle pick to the back and Ishii with the fall in 26 seconds.

11:36: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), back at the Olympic weight of 68kg after winning her third world medal last year with a bronze at 65kg, gets a 4-point takedown to go up 10-0 but secures the fall anyway against Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK).

11:30: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), last year's world champion at 65kg, begins her quest for a second world title, this year at 72kg, with a 3-0 win over Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ).

11:16: Dominique PARRISH (USA), who won the 53kg title last year in Fujinami's absence, has seen her reign end after one match. With Parrish on the activity clock, Asian silver medalist ANTIM (UWW) scores a takedown with 1:20 left and holds on for a 3-2 victory.

11:02: Tokyo Olympic silver medal Qianyu PANG (CHN) is up against Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) on Mat A. After they traded passivities, Pang with a stepout to win 2-1

10:55: A fall on Mat C for Iulia LEORDA (MDA), the losing finalist at 53kg in 2021 to Fujinami, over Sandy PARRA (COL). She and Fujinami could meet in the semifinals this time.

10:53: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) gets off to a roaring start in her bid to regain the 2021 title at 53kg that she had to give up when she was injured last year. She scores an early single-leg takedown against Tuba DEMIR (TUR), then after a spin-behind takedown, applies the lace lock and spins three times for a 10-0 win in 1:19. The win runs her current winning streak to 123 matches.

10:30: Big day for women's wrestling as three more Olympic weight classes go on mat today. Wrestlers in 53kg, 62kg and 68kg will try to win a spot for the Paris Olympics.