#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).

#JapanWrestling

Fujinami survives scare to take 57kg title, extend streak to 150 wins

Sunday, December 21, 2025 - 14:24 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO (December 21) -- It was one of those unimaginable scenes that suddenly appears like a mirage. Was that really Akari FUJINAMI, the Paris Olympic champion and two-time world champion who had not lost since 2017, on her back and fighting to prevent an upset of epic proportions?

Alas, Fujinami being Fujinami, she managed to avoid the fall, then came back with a late takedown to escape with a 4-2 victory over a gutsy Himeka TOKUHARA in the women's 57kg final at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on Sunday.

"I came up against reality at this tournament," said Fujinami, who extended her current winning streak to 150 matches dating back to junior high school, while continuing to make the tough adjustment from 53kg up to 57kg.

"To give up those points isn't a good thing, but it shows I have room for growth. Close matches like this are exciting. This down-to-the-wire, thrilling wrestling was really fun. I came out of this tournament with the feeling that I will become even stronger."

The final day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym spotlighted much of the cream of the Japanese crop, with six medalists from the Paris Olympics in action and one weight class featuring a clash of reigning world champions.

Among the other Paris gold medalists, the lone one to taste defeat was Sakura MOTOKI, who fell to nemesis and Paris bronze medalist and defending champion Nonoka OZAKI 3-3 in a nail-biting women's 62kg final. Kotaro KIYOOKA triumphed amid a stacked field at freestyle 65kg, while Nao KUSAKA continued his domestic dominance at Greco 77kg.

The tournament is also serving as the qualifier for the Asian Championships in April, as well as one of two qualifiers for the World Championships and Asian Games, to be held in fall. The latter holds additional significance in that it will be held in Japan.

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)Akari FUJINAMI finishes up the winning takedown against Himeka TOKUHARA in the final minute of the women's 57kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

The 22-year-old Fujinami, the Paris champion at 53kg, announced earlier this year that she was moving straight up to the next Olympic weight class at 57kg. But she opted to not even try to qualify for this year's senior World Championships, feeling she wouldn't be physically ready, and instead had her first test run of sorts with a victory at the world U23.

The two days at the All-Japan seemed to validate her decision to not rush the process, as she had her hands full with two of Japan's more powerful wrestlers.

In the semifinals on Saturday, she was never in danger of losing to Asian champion Sara NATAMI, but she gave up two 2-point exposures on counters late in a 7-4 victory. Then against Tokuhara, it was like she ran into a brick wall that crashed down on top of her.

Tokuhara, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Force team who was a world U23 champion at 59kg in 2022, relies on her power, which earned her the ticket at 57kg to this year's World Championships in Zagreb, where she lost in a bronze-medal match.

"Tokuhara and Natami are both strong, physical wrestlers," Fujinami said. "When I moved up to 57kg, those are the two I most needed to beat. Beating them both is a plus. Of course, everyone looks at the points I gave up, but I became the challenger when I moved up in weight, and I'm glad to have been able to come out with the win."

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)Akari FUJINAMI squares off with Himeka TOKUHARA in the women's 57kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

After her win, which gave her a fourth career title and first since 2022, she showed a vulnerable side, acknowledging she has a fear of failure and concerns over her ability to continue her incredible success amid the new challenge. Speaking about the pressure brought her to tears at one point.

"I'm really afraid of losing," she said. "It's strange for me to start crying now. My goal is to win the titles at the Asian Games and Los Angeles Olympics, and every day, I wonder to myself, is this the right thing to do? Is this making me better?

"I am also human, and there are things that scare me. It's that fear that makes me work hard every day. I'm sure I will have even tougher matches ahead. It feels like a given that I will win, and if I lose, everything will fall apart."

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)Akari FUJINAMI gets a stepout in the second period of the women's 57kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

In the final, Fujinami found her takedown attempts consistently blocked by Tokuhara, who relied on an effective whizzer or a front head lock, and had only an activity point to show for the first 2:30 of the first period. That was when the wall fell on her.

When Fujinami shot in for a single, Tokuhara whizzered to get Fujinami to straighten up. Then she pivoted around with a fierce pancake that slammed Fujinami straight to her back for 2 points with :25 left on the clock.

Fujinami set her left elbow on the mat to keep her shoulder up as Tokuhara pressed for the fall.

With only a few seconds left, Fujinami transitioned to a bridge, but at one point her shoulders hit the mat for a split second. The mat referee indicated a fall, but neither side judge confirmed, and time ran out.

Asked when the last time she was in danger of a fall, Fujinami laughed and replied, "I can't even remember the [opponent's] name."

Fujinami said she knew how much time was left and that she was confident she could ride it out. She said she constantly practices for such a situation, even though it would seem that the odds of it happening were somewhere in the Powerball range.

"I thought the way she had the hold, I wouldn't be pinned," Fujinami said. "I do bridges every day in practice. I had prepared for the possibility of this situation, so I wasn't thinking, 'Oh no, what should I do?' And even though I don't have much actual experience, I stayed calm.

"I knew that move was in her arsenal, but I couldn't stop it. It showed that I still have weakness. I also practiced what to do after failing to get in on a tackle, but she still hit the move, so there's still some work to be done."

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)Akari FUJINAMI shoots for the winning takedown against Himeka TOKUHARA in the final minute of the women's 57kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

There was also still the match to be won, as she trailed 2-1 and had yet to come close to a takedown, which in this weight class, she has had to depend on more. In the 21 points she scored over three matches, none came from ground wrestling.

Midway through the second period, she was stopped again and close to being forced out with her back to the edge. But she nimbly used Tokuhara's momentum to slip around and force her out for a stepout that made it 2-2, but still left her trailing on criteria.

With a minute to go, Fujinami finally connected with a single-leg attempt. As Tokuhara reached over for a counter, Fujinami pressed ahead and gradually finished up the takedown with :45 left.

She then put up a wall of defense that Tokuhara could not penetrate to secure the victory. "I'm really happy to have come out with a win," Fujinami said. "It was a daily fight to prepare for this tournament."

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)Nonoka OZAKI celebrates her victory over nemesis and Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI in the women's 62kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

There was more drama to follow in the next and final match of the tournament, which paired Motoki and Ozaki for supremacy at 62kg once again.

Last June at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships -- the second of the two domestic qualifiers for major global competitions -- Motoki squeaked out a 3-3 victory over Ozaki in the final. She then followed that with a 6-5 victory in the world team playoff in which she literally scored the winning takedown in the final second.

Ozaki could then only watch as Motoki went on to win her first senior world title, which she then followed up by winning the world U23 gold. That made her just the third wrestler in history to achieve the "Golden Grand Slam" of Olympic, senior world and all three world age-group golds.

On Sunday, it was Ozaki's turn for late dramatics, albeit she didn't cut it that close. She was leading 1-1 on criteria after an exchange of activity points when Motoki scored a single-leg takedown with 1:30 left. Ozaki kept up the pressure before securing a single-leg takedown of her own with :18 left for the victory.

"The last time, I lost with less than a second left, which taught me that that's something that can happen," Ozaki said. "I thought, if my opponent can do it, then I can do it as well. I thought to imitate, or learn from, Motoki's fighting style and her mental strength.

"In the second period, I gave up points, but I thought I would do to her what she did to me. I kept fighting and looked to take advantage of any chance."

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)Yoshinosuke AOYAGI unsuccessfully attempts a front body lock roll in the freestyle 74kg final against Kota TAKAHASHI. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Aoyagi prevails in clash of world champions

In the second final of the tournament that pitted reigning world champions, Yoshinosuke AOYAGI made a successful incursion into the freestyle 74kg territory currently ruled by Kota TAKAHASHI.

Aoyagi, the freestyle 70kg champion in Zagreb, scored a takedown and roll combination with 40 seconds left, then held on for a 4-4 victory on criteria for his first All-Japan title. 

While happy with the victory, Aoyagi was left less than satisfied by his lack of an effective offense. His winning combination came after he spun behind in countering a takedown attempt.

"I'm still small in build, and he controlled the flow of the match," Aoyagi said. "Honestly speaking, I thought if it stayed that way I would lose. I didn't score any points with my moves, so there is much to reflect on from this match."

He says he plans to enter a Ranking Series tournament and, without going into specifics, said he would like to go overseas to train with U.S. and Russian wrestlers which "is the best way to improve one's skills and which benefits both sides."

He is also looking forward to testing himself at the Asian Championships, "Where I can show that I can be competitive at 74kg on the global stage," he said.

"I'm still in the stage where it's really tough, and I lack the power and get pushed around," Aoyagi said. "After the match, my legs were burning. There's so much more I need to do. I will look for ways to make improvements."

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA sweeps to the side for a takedown against Takara SUDA in the freestyle 65kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

At freestyle 65kg, Kiyooka used his low single and dynamic speed to scrape together a 5-2 victory in the final over Asian 61kg champion Takara SUDA.

Kiyooka swept to a low single-leg takedown in each period, but said he needs to work on setting it up closer.

"I wanted to cut the distance a little more, and use more variation for my shots," he said. "There's still many things I need to work on."

Kiyooka said he gained inspiration from his sister Moe's victory at 53kg on Saturday. It marks the second time that the two have completed a sibling double after 2023, when he won his lone other title.

Kiyooka, who had never medaled on the world level when he came out of nowhere and triumphed at the Olympics, got a wakeup call of sorts in Zagreb, where Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) avenged his loss in the Paris final by beating him for the world gold.

"I realized my weakness," Kiyooka said. "As I said during the World Championships, I felt I wasn't the true champion. Wrestling is very deep and it made me feel I can still grow, so I took [the loss] in a positive light."

Yui SUSAKI (JPN)Yui SUSAKI shoots for a takedown against Haruna MORIKAWA in the women's 50kg final.  (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

At women's 50kg, Tokyo Olympic champion and Paris bronze medalist Yui SUSAKI turned a bit more conservative than she would have liked, but was never in danger in coming away with a 3-0 victory in the final over world U23 champion Haruna MORIKAWA.

Susaki scored a single-leg takedown and stepout in the first period, then spent the second trading underhook positions and fending off Morikawa's lone shot of the match to secure her fourth career title and first since 2022.

"It was my first All-Japan in awhile and I definitely wanted to win," Susaki said. "Although that feeling was strong, I wasn't aggressive enough in the second period. It was a match that brought up things to work on."

Susaki, a four-time world champion and another member of the "Golden Grand Slam" trio, took advantage of the absence of main rivals Remina YOSHIMOTO, who sat out the tournament, and Umi ITO, who withdrew due to injury.

"With the Los Angeles Olympics ahead and my main rivals not competing, I also considered this a tournament I couldn't lose," she said.

Susaki said the victory culminates a rough span since the disappointment of Paris, from which she still feels the sting of failing to defend her Olympic crown.

"There was the loss at the Paris Olympics, there were injuries and various hardships that I went through that I had never faced before," she said. "It was really a trying year and a half. If it wasn't for the support of many people, I would not have been able to make it back here."

In Greco 77kg, Kusaka executed a 2-point throw in his second chance from par terre -- there was some discussion over whether it should be scored as 4 -- which was enough for a 4-0 victory over 2023 champion Isami HORIKITA.

The victory added to Kusaka's lone other title, won at 72kg in 2019, and capped a year in which he also won a silver medal at the World Championships.

At Greco 67kg, defending champion Katsuaki ENDO won the latest in the seemingly endless series of finals with former Nippon Sports Science University teammate and top rival Kyotaro SOGABE, scoring a second-period gut wrench for a 3-1 victory.

It was Endo's fourth career title as he and Sogabe have now combined to win the last five golds.

Day 4 Results

Freestyle

65kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Kotaro KIYOOKA df. Takara SUDA, 5-2

BRONZE: Kaiji OGINO df. Shinnosuke SUWAMA, 3-0
BRONZE: Kaisei TANABE df. Futa MIYAZAKI by TF, 11-0, 3:45

74kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI df. Kota TAKAHASHI, 4-4

BRONZE: Toki OGAWA df. Yujin TAKIZAWA, 4-1
BRONZE: Hikaru TAKATA df. Tatsuki KAMIYA by TF, 12-0, 2:35

Greco-Roman

67kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Katsuaki ENDO df. Kyotaro SOGABE, 3-1

BRONZE: Kensuke SHIMIZU df. Takaku SUZUKI by Fall, 4:30 (8-0)
BRONZE: Haruto YABE df. Kojiro HASEGAWA by TF, 13-2, 2:25

77kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Nao KUSAKA df. Isami HORIKITA, 4-0

BRONZE: Kiriru SHIMABUKURO df. Naoki KADODE, 7-1
BRONZE: Issei HONNA def. Kodai SAKURABA by Inj. Def.

Women's Wrestling

50kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Yui SUSAKI df. Haruna MORIKAWA, 3-0

BRONZE: Mako ONO df. Yuu SAKAMOTO, 3-1
BRONZE: Rinka OGAWA df. Kurumi KANAYAMA, 9-0

57kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Akari FUJINAMI df. Himeka TOKUHARA, 4-2

BRONZE: Rin KINOSHITA df. Risa MOTOHARA, 2-1
BRONZE: Sara NATAMI df. Miyu IWASAKI by Fall, 1:59 (4-0)

62kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI df. Sakura MOTOKI, 3-3

BRONZE: Yuzuka INAGAKI df. Hana YOSHIKAWA by TF, 10-0, 3:38
BRONZE: Sakura ONISHI, no opponent