Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 1

By United World Wrestling Press

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7:54 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) edged Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 3-3 on criteria to give Kazakhstan its first and only win in the dual meet. Azerbaijan defeats Kazakhstan 9-1. 

7:44 p.m.  Roman BAKIROV (AZE) edged Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)  3-2 at 97kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 9-0. 

7:32 Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) cruised to a technical fall over Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) at 92kg, giving Azerbaijan an 8-0 lead with two matches remaining. 

7:25 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) topped Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 3-0 at 86 kg. 

7:24 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) shut out Singh PUSHPENDER (IND) 5-0 at 125kg to give Georgia an 8-2 victory over India. 

7:16 p.m. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) kept Azerbaijan's shutout in tact as he defeated Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) 8-1 at 79kg. 

7:15 p.m. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) claimed a technical fall victory over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg. 

7:13 p.m. Davit KHUTSISHVILI (86kg) and Dato MARSAGISHVILI (92kg) picked up victories for Georgia to extend their lead over India to 6-2. 

7:06 p.m. Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) edged Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 2-1 at 74kg to give Azerbaijan a 5-0 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

6:58 p.m. Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) was dominant in picking up an 11-1 technical fall over Sachin GIRI (IND) at 79kg.

6:54 p.m. Azerbaijan extended its lead to 4-0 as Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) shut out Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) 7-0 at 70kg. 

6:51 p.m. Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) cruised to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND) at 74kg. 

6:48 p.m.  Three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) topped Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) to put Azerbaijan up 3-0. 

6:45 p.m. Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) picked up a win for Georgia over Kumar ARUN (IND) to even up the dual meet at 2-2. 

6:37 p.m. Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) won a thrilling match over Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) at 61kg to give Azerbaijan a 2-0 lead. 

6:32 p.m. Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) picked up a victory by injury default over Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg, giving India a 2-1 lead. 

6:27 p.m. Sandeep TOMAR (IND) put India on the board with a 4-1 win over Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) at 61kg. 

6:24 p.m. Afgan KHASHALOV (AZE) cruised to an 8-1 victory over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg. 

6:14 p.m. Georgia received a forfeit over India in the first match at 57kg. 

6:03 p.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) used a late takedown to secure a comeback victory on criteria over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) at 125 kg. Cuba picks up the 7-3 victory in the dual meet. 

5:53 p.m. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (Cuba) was impressive in picking up a technical fall over Batzul Ulziisaikhan (Mongolia) 11-1 at 97kg. The victory put Cuba up 7-2 heading into the final match. 

5:45 p.m. Lazaro Daniel HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) came from behind late to defeat Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (MGL) 4-3 at 92kg. Cuba now leads 6-2 with two matches remaining. 

5:36 p.m. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) gave Cuba a 5-2 lead as he edged Uitumen Orgodol (MGL) 3-2 at 86kg. 

5:24 p.m. Mongolia picked up a much-needed win at 79kg as Iderkhuu Gantulga (MGL) used a big move to secure a fall over Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES (Cuba). The victory cut the deficit to 4-2. 

5:14 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) edged Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL) 3-3 on criteria at 74kg to give Cuba a 4-1 lead. 

5:02 p.m. Cuba made it three victories in a row as Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) topped Ganbayar Sanjaa (MGL) 5-3 at 70kg. 

4:52 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) used a five-point throw to earn an 11-0 technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg.  The victory puts Cuba up 2-1 in the dual meet. 

4:47 p.m. Multiple-time world medalist Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) used a late four-point throw to defeat Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (Mongolia) 6-4 at 61kg to even the dual meet score at 1-1. 

4:36: Bakhbayar Erdenebat (MGL) gave Mongolia an early lead as he topped Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (Cuba) 4-0 in the opening match at 57kg. 

4:21 p.m. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), a returning world bronze medalist, closed out the dual meet with a 10-0 technical fall over Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN). USA picks up a 7-3 dual meet victory over Japan. 

4:07 p.m. Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) used five takedowns to pick up a first-period technical fall over Taira SONODA (JPN) at 97kg. The victory gives USA a 6-3 lead with one match remaining. 

4:03 p.m. Olympic and world bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) rolled an 11-0 technical fall over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) at 92kg, giving USA a 5-3 lead with two matches to go. Cox scored first off a passivity before breaking the match open late in the first period with four consecutive exposures to go up 9-0. He ended the match early in the second period with a takedown. 

3:55 p.m. David TAYLOR (USA) gave USA its first lead of the dual meet as he picked up a 12-2 technical fall over Masao MATSUSAKA (JPN) at 86kg. The match was competitive early after the two wrestlers traded takedowns, but it was all Taylor the rest of the way, as he dominated with takedowns and turns. 

3:47 p.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) claimed a dominant 10-0 victory by technical fall over 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) at 79kg. Dake grabbed an early lead off a passivity in the first period. Then in the second period Dake put the match away with two consecutive four-point throws. Japan challenged the final throw, but the call was upheld, giving Dake the technical fall, which evened the dual at 3-3. 

3:37 p.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, gave up the first point against world bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) at 74 kg, but dominated the rest of the way. After Fujinami scored off a passivity in the first period, Burroughs scored seven unanswered points to win the match 7-1 and cut USA's deficit to 3-2 midway through the dual meet. 

3:25 p.m. Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) gave the Americans their first victory. He held on to defeat Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) 8-5. Green jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on the strength of a two-point takedown and a four-point takedown. Kinoshita inched closer in the second period after a takedown on the edge of the mat, which cut the deficit to three. But Green was able to hold on for the victory. 

3:12 p.m. 2015 cadet world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) kept the momentum on Japan's side as he defeated past world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) 10-5 at 65kg. Otoguro scored four first-period takedowns, nearly ending the match in the first period, but Stieber battled back and cut the deficit to 8-4 at one point. Otoguro scored a takedown with 1:19 remaining and hung on for the win to give Japan a 3-0 lead. 

2:58 p.m. Asian silver medalist Kazuya KOYANAGI (JPN) edged Kendric MAPLE (USA) 2-2 on criteria at 61kg. Koyanagi scored in the first period off a passivity to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Maple battled back in the second period, scoring twice off passivity to grab the lead. Koyanagi came back with a step out to take the criteria lead. In the closing moments of the match Maple was awarded a takedown to take a 4-2 lead. However, Japan challenged the call and it was overturned, giving Koyanagi the criteria victory and Japan a 2-0 lead. 

2:45 p.m. In one of the most anticipated matchups of today -- a rematch of last year's World championship match at 57kg -- Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) defeated Thomas GILMAN (USA) 4-1. Gilman scored first off a passivity in the opening period, but Takahashi scored two takedowns in the final 1:30 to take the victory, giving Japan the early 1-0 lead in the dual meet.

1:31 p.m. The next dual meet is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and pits USA vs. Japan. 

1:28 p.m. Four-time European medalist Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) closed out the dual meet with a 3-2 victory over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB). Azerbaijan takes the dual meet 8-2.

1:18 p.m. Roman BAKIROV (AZE) controlled three-time world medalist Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) from start to finish, winning 3-0 at 97kg. Heading into the final match, Azerbaijan leads Cuba 7-2. 


1:09 p.m. World bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) clinched the dual meet victory for Azerbaijan with a victory at 92kg. He claimed a 7-4 win over Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) in an action-filled match, giving Azerbaijan its sixth win of the dual meet with two matches remaining. 

1 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) made it three straight victories for Georgia as he defeated Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) 3-2 at 125kg. But it was too little too late as Japan took the dual meet victory, 7-3. 

12:59 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) scored a late takedown to pull out a 3-2 victory over Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) at 86kg. The victory pushed Azerbaijan's lead to 5-2 with three matches remaining. 

12:51 p.m. Junior world silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVI (GEO) gave Georgia its second victory of the dual meet as he dominated YAMAGUCHI (JPN) at 97kg. Japan leads 7-2 with one match remaining. 

12:50 p.m. Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) picked up a quick 10-0 technical fall over Yoan ZULUETA MORALES (CUB) at 79kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 4-2. 


12:45 p.m. Multiple-time world/Olympic medalist Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) gave Cuba a much-needed win at 74kg. He topped Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) 6-2. 

12:41 p.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) gave Georgia its first victory against Japan as he dominated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 10-0 at 92kg. 

12:32 p.m. Japan kept its shutout in tact as Shota SHIRAI (JPN) shut out Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 6-0 at 86kg. 

12:30 p.m. Three-time world military medalist Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) extended Azerbaijan's lead to 3-1 with a 7-3 victory over Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) at 70kg.

12:24 p.m. 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) gave Japan a 6-0 lead over Georgia after he claimed a technical fall (11-0) over Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) at 79kg.

12:20 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) picked up the biggest win of the day, earning a fall over three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 65 kg. The Cuban had built an 8-2 lead prior to the fall. Azerbaijan now holds a 2-1 lead after three matches.

12:17 p.m.  In a battle of world medalists, Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) dominated Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) 8-0 at 61kg. With the victory, Azerbaijan goes up 2-0 on Cuba. 

12:15 p.m. World bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) was impressive in a 13-2 victory over Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) at 74kg. Japan leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

12:07 p.m. European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVI (AZE) gave Azerbaijan an early lead as he topped Reineri ORTEGA (CUB)  7-5 at 57kg. Ortega came on late, but fell short. 

12:04 p.m. Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) held on to defeat Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) 10-8 in an action-filled match at 70kg. Japan extended its lead to 4-0 over Georgia.

11:52 a.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) closed out the 6-4 dual meet victory for Mongolia with a 12-2 technical fall over Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) at 125kg. 

11:50 a.m. Junior world bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) used a late rally to defeat Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg. Takatani was trailing 4-1 until the final minute before using a series of turns to get the 7-4 comeback victory. Japan goes up 3-0 in the dual meet. 

11:42 a.m. In a wild, back-and-forth match, Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) defeated Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) 7-5 at 97kg to give Mongolia a 5-4 lead with one match remaining. 

11:41 a.m.  Another world champion for Japan (U23) Rinya NAKAMURA topped Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) 9-2 at 61kg to give Japan a 2-0 lead. 


11:33 a.m. Returning world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) started slowly, but turned it up late and claimed a 10-0 technical fall over Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) at 57 to give Japan a 1-0 lead. 

11:32 a.m. Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) picked up a key victory for Kazakhstan, edging Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) 2-1 at 92kg, making the dual meet score 4-4 with two matches to go.

11:24 a.m. The dual meet between Japan and Georgia is underway on Mat A. 

11:19 a.m. Mongolia retook the lead (4-3) after Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) notched a 6-4 victory over Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) at 86kg.  

11:11 a.m. Past junior world champ Dom BRADLEY (USA) closed out the 10-0 dual meet victory for the Americans with a 10-0 technical fall over Singh PUSHPENDER (IND). Bradley used a big four-point move early in the match to pace him to the victory. 

11:10 a.m. Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) built an 11-1 lead before securing a fall over Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) at 79kg. The victory tied the dual meet at 3-3. 

11:06 a.m. Olympic champ Kyle SNYDER (USA) cruised to a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg, closing the match with a gut wrench. The Americans take a 9-0 lead with one match to go.

11:02 a.m.  Hayden ZILLMER (USA) shut out past cadet world champion Deepak PUNIA (IND) 7-0 at 92kg to put USA up 8-0.

11:01 a.m. Olympic fifth-place finisher Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) blanked Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 9-0 at 74kg to give Mongolia a 3-2 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

10:50 a.m. David TAYLOR (USA) followed up Dake's impressive performance with an impressive performance of his own, claiming a first-period technical fall over Pawan KUMAR (IND) at 86kg to give USA a 7-0 lead with three matches to go. 

10:48 a.m. Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) topped Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 4-1 to tie the dual meet up at 2-2. 


10:47 a.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) came out aggressively, using a four-point move followed by a turn to go up 6-0 at 79kg against Sachin GIRI (IND). Dake closed out the match with a technical fall a short time later. 

10:44 a.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), an Olympic champ and four-time world champ, led only 3-0 at the break, but opened it up in the second period and rolled to an 11-1 technical fall over Kumar VINOD (IND) at 74kg. USA leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

10:38 a.m. Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) secured a technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg to put Kazakhstan on the board. 

10:32 a.m.  Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) scored a four-point takedown with a double leg on his way to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar ARUN (IND) at 70kg. USA takes a 4-0 lead over India. 

10:28 a.m. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) edged Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) 2-1 at 61kg to give Mongolia a 2-0 lead after two matches.

10:24 a.m. Past world champ Logan STIEBER (USA) kept the momentum going for the Americans as he defeated Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) 12-2 at 65kg. Stieber finished the match with a series of gut wrenches. USA now leads India 3-0 after three matches. 

10:20 a.m. Joseph COLON (USA) came back to top 2017 world seventh-place finisher Sandeep TOMAR (IND) 6-4 at 61kg. Tomar built a 4-0 lead before Colon battled back to secure the victory and give USA a 2-0 team lead. 

10:18 a.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) picked up a 10-0 technical fall over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg to start the dual meet, giving Mongolia the 1-0. lead. 

10:09 a.m. World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) opens with a forfeit against India at 57kg. USA leads India 1-0. 

10:05 a.m. The first four nations competing are being introduced right now. 



9:29 a.m. Follow the action on Day 1 of the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, starting at 10 a.m. CT. United World Wrestling is providing a running notebook throughout the two-day event. The most recent updates will appear at the top. United States opens with India on Mat A, while Mongolia battles Kazakhstan on Mat B. 

 

#WrestleTirana

U23 Worlds: Motivated Hlinchuk makes golden return

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (October 28) -- The last two years have been extremely difficult for Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN). With no international wrestling for him, the 21-year-old felt like moving away from the sport. The death of his first coach six months ago and then the passing of his uncle troubled Hlinchuk emotionally.

"These have been the toughest two years of my whole life," Hlinchuk says. "After being away from international competitions for two years, as well as not being able to train at all for about 8-9 months, I wanted to return. These reasons gave me motivation."

Making a return to international wrestling at the U23 World Championships, Hlinchuk made it golden by capturing the U23 world title in Tirana, Albania on Saturday.

A U20 world champion from 2021, Hlinchuk looked like he was never away from the mat, beating Mustafa OLGUN (TUR) 4-3 in the 97kg final. Despite a few aggressive moments in towards the end of the final, Hlinchuk kept his cool to deny Olgun.

"Many people will agree, that it's difficult to describe this feeling," he said. "These are probably the best emotions that the athlete could ever experience, especially after the long training. I want to dedicate my win to my coach and uncle."

Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN)Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) defends the par terre position against Mustafa OLGUN (TUR). (Photo: UWW / Ulug Bugra Han Degirmenci)

The final may have been a close battle but Hlinchuk's previous bouts in Tirana were completely one-sided. He outscored his opponents 29-5 before Olgun checked his dominant run.

Olgun got the first point for par terre and though he could not score any points, he managed to score a stepout from neutral to lead 2-0. Hlinchuk turned the tables in the second period by scoring a turn from par terre to lead 3-2.

With around a minute left, Olgun managed to lock Hlinchuk and bring him down on his back. It was ultimately given a fall but Hlinchuk's corner challenged for a leg foul. On review, the fall was reversed as Olgun had in fact brought Hlinchuk down using his leg.

A few moments later, the two got warned by the referee for aggressive wrestling. Olgun again came close to winning as he brought Hlinchuk towards the zone, scoring a stepout with Hlinchuk falling. The referee awarded caution two points to Hlinchuk for a singlet-grab from Olgun. But the judge and mat chairman gave one point to Olgun for stepout. Hlinchuk now led 3-3 on criteria as he had a two-point turn while Olgun had three one-point scores.

Turkiye challenged the decision but on review, it was only given one point to Olgun. A point was added to Hlinchuk's score for Turkiye's lost challenge. In the final eight seconds, Hlinchuk kept Olgun at a distance and won 4-3.

"From outside it might have been seen as if I gave up," he said referring to the fall. "People might have thought that I gave it up and got pinned. But in reality, I immediately felt his leg foul. This still didn't give me the right to give up and secondly, I thought that my head was outside when he was pinning me, so I was relaxed, which is also not an excuse."

Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN)Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) celebrates after winning the 97kg gold in Tirana. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Hlinchuk burst into prolonged celebrations, including a somersault, after the win. Comparing his 2021 campaign in which he won the silver medal to Saturday's gold, Hlinchuk said he has adopted a more risk-free game plan.

"Back in 2021, I was not completely ready even though I won U20 gold and U23 silver," he said. "I was different back then. Now I've grown up, I try to think more, analyze more and be riskless. Back then I only wanted to win as fast as possible. And if I wasn't winning the match, I would lose concentration. Now I don't do that anymore. Even though the final match didn't go as planned, I wrestled with a clear mind."

After the medal ceremony, Hlinchuk also revealed that he was motivated by reading about last year's champion Alex SZOKE (HUN) returning but also his own name in an article. [Szoke lost 4-4 to Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) in the quarterfinals and the German lost to Hlinchuk in the semifinals.]

"I was motivated by the article that I read before this championship," he said. "It was written that last year's champion Alex Szoke is coming. But at the same time, Pavel Hlinchuk is coming as well, trying to change the color of his medal. I had this on my mind and that motivated me a lot."

Indeed, Hlinchuk will return home after upgrading his 2021 U23 world silver to gold this year in Tirana.