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

Sidakov wins World Championships showdown with Dake; Micic, Aitmukhan claim historic golds

By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 18) -- After years on an inevitable collision course, Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Kyle DAKE (USA) finally met on the mat. In a wild encounter that lived up to the billing, Sidakov landed a big first blow as a Possible Prelude to Paris.

Sidakov wrangled enough points fighting off Dake's counters to forge a 10-7 victory in a highly anticipated freestyle 74kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships that is also serving as the first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"As you have all seen, the final match was really tough," Sidakov said. "Kyle is a worthy opponent. He is a four-time world champion and Olympic medalist, so I had this fighting spirit inside, I was going up there to wrestle for the whole six minutes."

While wrestling fans around the world got one of the dream matches they have been longing to see, it was also a day of celebration for the host country, which saw the crowning of its first-ever world champion in freestyle with the ascension of Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 57kg in Belgrade's Stark Arena.

Kazakhstan also saw the emergence of a first-ever freestyle gold medalist at a World Championships, with teenager Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) taking the title in the non-Olympic weight of 92kg, one of two decided on Monday.

Sidakov, in his first major competition since winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics, was trailing on criteria when he took the lead with a mind-boggling scramble, then finished up the victory with a late exposure for his third career world title.

Sidakov and Dake had been world champions together in 2018 and 2019 when the American was competing at 79kg. But Dake moved down to 74kg ahead of the 2021 Olympics, and although they did not meet in Tokyo, where Dake took bronze, the two were destined to someday take the mat together.

That day came on Monday and did not disappoint.

Dake struck first, gaining a step out in the first period while on the activity clock. Sidakov came back in the second period with a double-leg takedown, just seconds before he received an activity clock point to go up 3-1. Midway through the period, Dake went ahead on criteria with a well-executed single-leg takedown.

With 40 seconds left, all hell broke loose. Sidakov came in low on a single, and a seated Dake went into his counter position, reaching over and wrapping up the chest. In a crazy scramble, bodies and limbs were tossed around and when it was all sorted out, Sidakov was awarded five points (two exposures and a reversal) and Dake four (two exposures), putting Sidakov up 8-7.

"I had very different thoughts going through my mind," Sidakov said of what he was thinking during the challenge. "Either keep the score or attack, but one should choose only one plan and follow it. Today my plan worked out. As you’ve seen, I won the match."

There was no way that this was going to end calmly, and another scramble that could have gone either way in the final seconds ended up adding 2 to Sidakov's tally.

"[It was] two years without wrestling much internationally," Sidakov said. "I wrestled six matches at this tournament, the last time I wrestled as many matches as I did this time I think was on a cadet level. I woke up in the morning today, and I felt this pain in my body, but I prepared for the fight."

Stevan MICIC (SRB)Stevan MICIC (SRB) defeated Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in the 57kg final to become Serbia's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Micic, who defeated reigning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Zavur UGUEV (AIN) en route to the final, stepped up his game to another level to defeat 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) 7-4.

"This is insane," said the American-bred Micic, whose grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia. "It feels like a dream... In reality, this is what I've been working for, and I think it's going to take a minute for this to actually set in. I'm so proud of myself, but also proud of all the support behind me."

Micic, who spent time training in Japan earlier this year, got on the scoreboard first with a go-behind takedown, but Higuchi came back with a blast double to go into the second period up 2-2 on criteria. Higuchi added a single-leg takedown to up the lead to 4-2, but Micic regained the lead with a takedown.

As Higuchi, the world champion last year at 61kg, pressed for the winning takedown, Micic used his long reach to score 2 with a counter. In the final seconds, Higuchi got in deep with a single at the edge, but a challenge failed to give him the points he was seeking.

"The biggest difference between Higuchi and the other opponents is that his offense is so crisp," Micic said. "For Higuchi, my guard had to be up always."

Micic said his 9-7 quarterfinal victory on Sunday over Uguev gave him the boost of confidence that propelled the 2022 bronze medalist to his greatest triumph.

"I felt a confidence in myself for Abakarov that maybe wouldn't have been if I didn't wrestle Uguev first," he said. "Maybe the Abakarov match [a 6-2 win in the semifinals] might have been different."

Akhmed USMANOV (AIN)Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) won the 79kg gold medal after beating Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-1, in the final. (Photo: Amirreza Aliasgari)

There were also two finals in non-Olympic weight classes. 

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) made the most of his first tournament abroad since winning a world junior (U20) silver medal in 2016, winning the gold with a workmanlike 4-1 victory over world U23 champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO).

Usmanov was limited to an activity point in the first period but started the second with a lightning-quick high crotch takedown for a 3-0 lead. He added a stepout before Gamkrelidze added one of his own in the final seconds.

"The final match was really tough," Usmanov said. "In the first period, the score was 1-0 and in the 2nd period, I knew I had to attack to get the points and make the difference bigger."

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) became Kazakhastan's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The other gold went to teenager Aitmukhan, who came from behind to deny two-time bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) a first gold with a 5-2 victory at 92kg.

Nurmagomedov had a 2-0 lead from an activity point and stepout when Aitmukhan, the Asian silver medalist this year, finally got on the scoreboard with a stepout with 30 seconds left. But the referees deemed that Nurmagomedov had fled the action and tacked on another point to put Aitmukhan up 2-2 on criteria.

As Nurmagomedov pressed for a winning move, Aitmukhan whizzed him over at the edge for 2. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

Before Aitmukhan made it to the top of the podium, Kazakhstan had five wrestlers who made it to the final at a senior worlds, but each went down to defeat.

Hetik CABOLOV (SRB)Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) qualified Serbia at 74kg for the Paris Olympics with bronze medal at World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Serbia adds bronze

In the bronze-medal matches in the Olympic weights, Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) gave the host country another ticket to Paris when he rallied to a 6-4 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg for his third career world medal.

Bayramov was on the clock when he scored a takedown with a slick inside trip to lead 2-1. The Azeri side initiated a challenge, hoping to make the takedown a 4-pointer. That was denied, but still left Bayramov ahead on criteria.

But with 20 seconds left, Cabalov scored a single-leg takedown and added a roll to go up 6-2.

That gave him the leeway when he gave up a stepout and a fleeing point in the final seconds, allowing him to add the bronze medal to the silver he won in 2017 and gold in 2016.

The other bronze at 74kg went to Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), whose dramatic victory by fall over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) allowed him to emulate his older brother Sohsuke as both a world medalist and Olympian.

Takatani found himself in an early 4-point hole before he cut the gap with a takedown at the end of the first period. In the second period, he got in deep on a single, transitioned to a cradle and worked Kougioumtsidis onto his back. He then stepped over and clamped down for the fall at 3:37.

The elder Takatani brother appeared in his third Olympics in Tokyo and won a silver medal -- also at 74kg -- at the 2014 World Championships. The Japan federation has decreed that any wrestler in an Olympic weight class who wins a medal will automatically fill the Olympic berth, meaning Daichi has a confirmed ticket to Paris.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) defeated Zavur UGUEV (AIN) in the bronze medal bout at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Abakarov came out on top in his bronze-medal clash with Uguev, scoring a takedown and exposure in the final 40 seconds to win 4-4 on criteria.

Uguev, the gold medalist in Tokyo two years ago, looked in control after taking a 4-0 lead with an activity point, a stepout early in the second period, and a takedown while on the activity clock. But Abakarov, who last year became Albania's first-ever world gold medalist, stepped up when it counted and pulled off the victory.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) captured his third straight world bronze and first at 57kg, which means a second chance for an Olympic medal. Having moved down from 61kg to the Olympic weight, Harutyunyan totally dominated Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) with an 11-0 technical fall.

Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI)Two-time world silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the bronze medal at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the non-Olympic weight classes, Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) wasn't able to improve on the silver medals he won the past two years at 79kg, but won't be leaving Belgrade empty-handed after taking bronze with a comprehensive 10-0 rout of Orkhan ABASOV (AZE).

Nokhodi seized the momentum from the opening whistle, scoring a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches for a quick 6-0 lead. He then picked up two snapdown takedowns, the second one ending the match at 2:50.

In a battle of reigning continental champions, Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) earned his second straight bronze at 79kg, scoring a takedown in the first period that proved decisive in a 3-1 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ).

Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze medal at 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 92kg, two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning takedown with two seconds left for a 5-3 victory.

Akturk was leading 3-1 and squandered a takedown opportunity that kept the door open for Maisuradze, who then tripped Akturk out at the edge with 20 seconds left. The original call of a stepout was revised on a challenge to a takedown, putting the Georgian up 3-3 on criteria.

But Akturk wasn't going to go down easy and immediately secured a single leg, got it up in the air, and then took the action to the mat where he forced Maisuradze's knee down for the winning points.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA)Zahid VALENCIA (USA) celebrates after beating Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) in the 92kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) added the other 92kg bronze to the U.S. tally, overwhelming teenaged Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by a 10-0 technical fall in 1:41.

Valencia led 3-0 after an exposure off a scramble and an unsuccessful challenge, then transitioned from a takedown to a high-thigh lock before reeling off three rolls to finish the match.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN)Zavur UGUEV (AIN) returned to win a Paris Olympic quota as an Individual Neutral Athlete. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Kougioumtsidis prevail in playoffs

Uguev returned to the mat later in the fifth-place playoff for the Paris Olympic quota at 57kg and rode an early takedown to a 4-0 victory over Kartbay.

For now, Uguev has secured the Olympic spot as an Individual Neutral Athlete, but it hinges on a final determination by the International Olympic Committee on the eligibility of Russian and Belarussian athletes in Paris.

Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) clinched a Paris Olympic quota after he won in the playoff as Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) was cautioned out. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Kougioumtsidis gained the 74kg quota for Greece, coming back from an 8-point deficit to defeat Bayramov, officially by disqualification after a third caution. Kougioumtsidis kept chipping away at the lead as a fatigued Bayramova drew two cautions for fleeing.

But Bayramov, who had a 4-point throw in the first period, looked like he might still hang on when Kougioumtsidis scored a step out at the buzzer to tie the score 8-8. But the Greeks launched a challenge that Bayramov had grabbed Kougioumtsidis' singlet, and that was upheld, resulting in the disqualification.

lskc

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Stevan MICIC (SRB) df. Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), 7-4

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 3:59
BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Zavur UGUEV (AIN), 4-4

5th-Place Playoff: Zavur UGUEV (AIN) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 4-0

65kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) vs. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)

Semifinal: Iszmail MUSUKAEV (HUN) df. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), 6-5
Semifinal: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) df. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), 10-9

74kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 10-7

BRONZE: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 6-4
BRONZE: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) by Fall, 3:37 (6-4)

5th-Place Playoff: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) by Disq.,
6:00 (8-8)

79kg (27 entries)
GOLD:  Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) by TF, 10-0, 2:50
BRONZE: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

92kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-2
BRONZE: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-3
BRONZE: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 1:41

97kg (35 entries)
GOLD: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

Semifinal: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 6-1
Semifinal: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) by Inj. Def., 4:57 (9-2)

Women's Wrestling

55kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) vs. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA)

Semifinal: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 6-0
Semifinal: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) by TF, 10-0, 4:02

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Yuliia TKACH (UKR)

Semifinal: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Jennifer PAGE (USA), 5-1
Semifinal: Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Elena BRUGGER (GER) by Fall, 1:14 (2-0)