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. 

 

#WrestleBelgrade

Olympic champ Orta wins first world title in move up to 67kg

By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 24) -- Two years after winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics in Greco-Roman at 60kg, Luis ORTA (CUB) made a successful jump up to the next Olympic weight and captured his first world title.

Orta rallied in the second period to defeat Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) 4-3 in the 67kg final and secure a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics for his country on Sunday, the final day of the World Championships in Belgrade.

"The result of this gold medal is due to hard training and good work of my coaches, and the good preparation we did before coming here, and in the end, we got it," Orta said.

Ali CENGIZ (TUR) survived being on his back for nearly a minute to claim the gold at 87kg, while Leri ABULADZE (GEO) finally struck gold after finishing second the past two years in the non-Olympic weight of 63kg.

Azerbaijan, with three champions and two silver medalists, won the team title for the first time in its history with 120 points, followed by Iran with 102 and Turkiye with 93.

The tournament was also serving as the initial qualifier for the Paris Games, with five berths up for grabs in each of the six Olympic divisions. Iran came away with four in Greco, while Cuba and Armenia secured three each and Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Azerbaijan and Turkey two apiece. Asian countries swept all five spots at 60kg.

Orta transitioned to 67kg by competing at 63kg in 2022, but could only manage a seventh-place finish at last year's World Championships in the same Stark Arena in Belgrade.

"After the Olympic gold in Tokyo, I couldn't step on the podium again so I am so happy that it happened today," Orta said.

He showed he could handle the extra weight at 67kg this year, beating defending champion Mate NEMES (SRB) in a tight semifinal and winning all three of his other matches en route to the final by technical fall.

Orta denied Jafrarov, the losing semifinalist to Nemes last year, of the world title by overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the second period with two stepouts, the second one coming after he opted to stay on his feet after being awarded a second passivity point.

Orta's bypassing ground wrestling was understandable. In the first period, he was put on top in par terre, only to see Jafrarov stop him during a gut wrench for 2, then add a stepout on an attempted throw.

Luis ORTA (CUB)Luis ORTA (CUB) celebrated his gold medal with a somersault. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"I already beat Jafrarov once, but all finals are different," said Orta, who defeated the Azeri 5-1 in an early round at the Zagreb Open in February. "They can't be compared. We had a tough match. I think he was a very good opponent, and our fight was worthy of a final match for gold."

This year, Orta prepped for Belgrade and the new weight class by entering two of the Ranking Series events, finishing third in both Zagreb and Bishkek.

"After the gold in the Olympics in 2021, we decided to change the weight category. I went from 60 to 63 last year and we did good work. We did this as a step to fighting in the 67 category where there are very tough opponents. Since the weight change, I had to work harder."

Orta said he did not make any changes to his regimen after his Olympic triumph.

"I was training as before and I did not consider winning the gold in the Olympics as something that would change my life," he said. "I don't think about it and I'm focused on what I have to do next to get the same result in Paris next year."

Ali CENGIZ (TUR)Ali CENGIZ (TUR) celebrates after winning the 87kg final. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In a clash between the bronze medalists from a year ago in the 87kg final, all looked lost for Cengiz until he fought off his back and held on for an 8-7 victory over David LOSONCZI (HUN).

In the first period, after Losonczi failed to score off par terre, he was pressing Cengiz at the edge when the Turk hit a front headlock throw for 4. Losonczi had inadvertently grabbed Cengiz's singlet, resulting in another 2 being tacked on for a 6-1 lead.

Cengiz's worst nightmare nearly came true in the second period. Attempting a reverse lift from par terre, Losonczi stepped over and landed chest-to-chest, getting 2 as Cengiz fought to avoid the fall, which the mat referee signaled but got no confirmation.

Ali CENGIZ (TUR)Ali CENGIZ (TUR), red, defends an attempted pin from David LOSONCZI (HUN). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Losonczi's repositioning to a reverse front headlock gave him 2 more and put Cengiz in danger again. But Cengiz somehow managed to extricate himself from the predicament, although his woes were still far from over.

He was assessed a 2-point caution for a foul, making it 7-7, although he held the criteria advantage due to the 4-pointer. That gave Losonczi one last chance in par terre, but he failed to budge Cengiz, and a late challenge that had no chance of succeeding over a suspected stepout added the final point.

For Losonczi, it will forever be a matter of what might have been. "I knew he would get tired, and he got tired and made a mistake," Losonczi said. "I had the opportunity to finish the match, but I didn't finish it, and that was it."

Still, achieving the objective of earning the Paris spot relieves some of the sting of defeat.

"My dream was to make it to the Paris Olympics," he said. "Being the world's best wrestler was not completed today, but I'm happy. I think I gave my all in this match. There is nothing left in me."

Leri ABULADZE (GEO)Leri ABULADZE (GEO) won the gold medal at 63kg after two silver-medal finishes. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 63kg, Abuladze finally made it to the top of the podium, beating Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) 2-2 on last-point criteria to add the world crown to the European title he won earlier this year.

Mammadov received the first passivity point, but Abuladze scored a reversal from par terre, only to see Mammadov gain a stepout to go up 2-1 in the first period.

Abuladze was the recipient of the second passivity point, which put him ahead on criteria. He nearly clinched the deal with a gut wrench that put Mammadov's back at about an 85-degree angle, just shy of the 90 degrees needed. Put on the bottom later, Abuladze held out for the win.

Geraei, Belenuik bag bronzes, Paris places

Two other Olympic champions in action, Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) and Zhan BELENIUK (UKR), both made it through the repechage earlier and came away with bronze medals to open the door for them to defend their Olympic crowns in Paris.

At 67kg, Geraei, taking full advantage of the challenge process as he did throughout the tournament, defeated Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) by a rare disqualification for two leg violations.

After gaining a passivity point and going on top on par terre, Geraei received a 2-point leg penalty on a challenge. That kept him on top, and he then lifted up Galstyan and unleased a 2-point throw. Again Galstyan was flagged for a leg foul, which ended the match at 2:09.

Geraei, the world champion in 2021 and silver medalist last year, posted a wild 11-10 victory over Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) in the second round. After losing to Jafarov in the quarterfinals, he made it through the repechage earlier Sunday by rallying from four points down to defeat Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) 6-5.

Beleniuk, a two-time former world champion who was competing for just the second time since his triumph in Tokyo, reeled off three rolls in par terre in the first period against Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and cruised to a 7-2 victory at 87kg.

"It was a very difficult competition," Beleniuk said. "Today this was my second fight, but I kept with it and I got the license for the Olympic Games and a bronze medal for my country, which is very important because now is a very tough situation in Ukraine."

The victory gave the 32-year-old Beleniuk his fifth world medal. In Paris, he will have a chance at a third Olympic medal, having also won a silver in Rio in 2016.

The other 87kg bronze went to European bronze medalist Semen NOVIKOV (BUL), who used some nifty dexterity to turn the tide against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) and come out with a 6-3 victory.

After being rolled in par terre, Novikov responded with a gymnastics-like kip-up over Abbasov to secure a reversal and went right into a 4-point throw to take a 5-3 lead. Novikov received a passivity point in the second period to account for the final score.

The Ukrainian-born Novikov, who transferred to Bulgaria this year because of his inability to displace Beleniuk, lost to Losonczi in the semifinal and Cengiz at the European U23 in 2019.

Regarding his three fellow medalists, he said, "I need three rematches."

Host Serbia came away with two bronze medals on the final night from Nemes at 67kg and Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) at 63kg, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Nemes notched a 3-3 win on last-point criteria that denied Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) a second straight world bronze.

Nemes trailed after Ismailov scored with a 2-point lift from par terre in the first period. In the second, Nemes uncorked a gut wrench from par terre to make it 3-3 before running out the clock.

Tibilov, normally a 60kg wrestler, took home a medal in his first senior world appearance when he defeated Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) 4-0. Tibilov, after receiving a passivity point in the first period, stopped a lateral drop attempt for 2 in the second period, then added the icing on the cake with a stepout.

The Serbian came into the tournament with a third-place finish at the European Championships and the Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup in Warsaw, both at 60kg.

At 63kg, Enes BASAR (TUR) scored eight points in the first period, then survived a bizarre second period in which he handed Stefan CLEMENT (FRA) five free points to take the other bronze with a 9-6 victory.

Basar, making his senior world debut a decade removed from winning a world junior (U20) silver medal, was put on the bottom of par terre in the first period, but stopped a gut wrench attempt and had Clement on his back and near to a fall.

Clement was also assessed a 2-point penalty for a leg violation, which put Basar on top, and he took advantage with two gut wrenches for an 8-1 lead.

One point from ending the match, Basar instead was twice hit with a 2-point penalty for grabbing the singlet early in the second period, with an unsuccessful challenge of the second one giving Clement a further point to cut the gap to 8-6.

But a caution on Clement gave Basar a point, and the period ended with no technical points scored and the Turk, the bronze medalist at the Grand Prix of Germany, defeating the champion of that tournament in August.

Armenia, Kazakhstan gain last Olympic spots

Galstyan returned to the mat later for the fifth-place playoff for the Olympic berth but didn't stay long as he needed less than a minute to roll to an 8-0 technical fall over Ismailov to gain the spot for Armenia.

The lanky Galstyan grabbed a quick takedown and, wrapping his long arms around Ismailov's waist, put together a series of three gut wrenches to end the match in 59 seconds.

Kazakhstan's Tursynov also earned a ticket to Paris with an 8-0 victory in the first period, helped by a number of penalty points and capped with a gut wrench in defeating Abbasov.

Tursynov opened with a stepout, then, put on top in par terre, he received in succession a 2-point leg penalty, an unsuccessful challenge point, and a fleeing point. In the third start, he uncorked the gut wrench with the final move of the tournament.

g

Day 9 Results

63kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 2-2

BRONZE: Enes BASAR (TUR) df. Stefan CLEMENT (FRA), 9-6
BRONZE: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) df. Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 4-0

67kg (41 entries)
GOLD: Luis ORTA (CUB) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) 4-3

BRONZE: Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 3-3
BRONZE: Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) by Disq., 2:09 (8-0)

5th-Place Playoff: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) by TF, 8-0, :59

87kg (42 entries)
GOLD: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 8-7

BRONZE: Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), 7-2
BRONZE: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 6-3

5th-Place Playoff: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE) by TF, 8-0, 2:14