Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 2

By United World Wrestling Press

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5:53 p.m. In the final match of the dual meet, Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) used a late takedown to defeat returning world bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) 4-3 at 125kg. Gwiazdowski appeared to be in control after building a 3-0 lead off a passivity and takedown. But Magomedov scored two late takedowns to defeat Gwiazdowski. USA wins the Freestyle World Cup with a 6-4 victory over Azerbaijan. 

5:43 p.m. Kyle SNYDER (USA) clinched the Freestyle World Cup title for USA by beating Roman BAKIROV (AZE) 14-3 at 97kg. Snyder was dominant from start to finish. Leading 2-1, Snyder scored a takedown to go up 4-1 and then used four turns to blow the match open. He led 12-3 at the break and added a takedown early in the second period to finish off the technical fall.

5:36 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) edged J'den COX (USA) 4-4 on criteria at 92kg. Albarov picked up a takedown two minutes into the match to grab a 2-0 lead. Cox came back with a takedown of his own early in the second period to give him the criteria lead. But Albarov would find another takedown to go up 4-2. Cox would score with two step outs in the final 90 seconds of the match, but Albarov would hang on for the criteria victory. 

5:22 p.m. David TAYLOR (USA) gave the United States its fifth victory by beating world fifth-place finisher Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) 12-2 at 86kg. Taylor built a 6-2 lead after the opening period, and then added two more takedowns and late exposure to get the technical fall. 

5:12 p.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) topped Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) 5-3 to put USA up 4-2 after six matches. Dake led 1-0 after the opening period. Hasanov took the lead at the 2:20 mark with a takedown. Dake inched closer with a step out. The American then picked up a takedown with 1:30 left to go up 4-2. A short time later he received a point off a penalty to go up 5-3. Hasanov would add a late step out, but it wouldn't be enough. 

4:48 p.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, earned a second-period fall over U23 European champion Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) at 74kg. Burroughs used a step out and takedown in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break. In the second period he scored an early takedown and then put Omarov to his back and secured the fall. USA leads 3-2 through five matches. 

4:48 p.m. Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) edged multiple-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) 4-4 on criteria at 70kg. The victory knotted the dual meet score at 2-2. Green took a 2-0 lead into the break after scoring with a double leg takedown in the first period. But Azimov battled back in the second, getting a takedown followed by a two-point exposure to grab a 4-2 lead. Green inched closer with a step out point and then another point for a fleeing caution. But Azimov held on for the one-point win. 

4:38 p.m. Logan STIEBER (USA), a 2016 world champion, picked up a key win for USA at 65kg by beating three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) 6-3. Stieber led 2-1 at the break after a first-period takedown. He added to his lead early in the second period with another takedown. Aliyev responded with a takedown of his own to make the score 4-3. Stieber then closed out the victory with a takedown in the final 10 seconds to win by three. 

4:27 p.m. Kendric MAPLE (USA) put the United States on the board with a 6-2 victory over multiple time junior world medalist Afgan Khashalov (AZE) at 61kg. Maple jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a takedown and gut wrench turn. Khahalov scored late in the first period to cut the deficit to 4-2. Maple would respond early in the second period with another takedown. 

4:16 p.m. Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE), a 2017 European champion, edged returning world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) 8-7 in the first bout of the gold-medal match. Gilman led 2-1 early in the second period after a takedown, but the Georgian scored with multiple exposures to take the lead and go up 8-3 after a failed USA challenge. Gilman would add two late takedowns, but fall short. 

4:05 p.m. The gold-medal match is underway between USA and Azerbaijan. 

3:52 p.m. Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) edged Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) 6-5 in a back-and-forth match at 125kg to give Japan the bronze medal. Japan defeated Cuba 6-4.

3:40 p.m. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) used three four-point moves to claim a 12-0 technical fall over Taira SONODA (JPN) at 97kg. Japan holds a 5-4 lead over Cuba going into the final match of the dual meet. 

3:33 p.m. Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) kept Cuba's hopes alive as he edged Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 4-4 on criteria at 92kg. With a 4-2 lead late, Hernandez surrendered a takedown, but held criteria, giving him the victory. 

3:22 p.m. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) kept Cuba in the dual meet as he topped Shota SHIRAI (JPN) 4-1 at 86kg. 

3:11 p.m. World silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (Japan) cruised to a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES (Cuba) at 79kg. Japan extends its lead to 5-1 after six matches. 

3:05 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) dominated Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) 16-5 at 74kg. Japan now leads 4-1. 

3 p.m. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) used impressive takedowns to notch an 8-4 victory over Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) at 70kg and give Cuba its first win. Otoguro cut the deficit to two points in the third period, but Castillo scored a takedown with 20 seconds left to extend his lead.

2:47 p.m. Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) was on the brink of losing by technical fall in the first period to world bronze medalist Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB) when he trailed 8-0, but battled all the way back, scoring 10 unanswered points to win 10-8. With the victory, Japan takes a 3-0 lead over Cuba. 

2:38 p.m. Kazuya KOYANAGI (JPN) won a hard-fought match, 9-6, over two-time world bronze medalist Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB). Koyanagi jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Bonne Rodriguez battled back to get within a point in the second period. Koyanagi sealed the deal with late takedown. His victory gives Japan a 2-0 lead. 

2:26 p.m. Returning world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) trailed at the break, but used a strong second period to pick up a 7-5 victory over U23 world champion Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) in the first match of the dual meet at 57kg. 

2:17 p.m. Japan and Cuba will now battle for third place. 

2:09 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) wins by technical fall (10-0) over Singh PUSHPENDER (IND) at 125kg, which closes out the dual meet. Kazakhstan wins 10-0 to place seventh.

2:04 p.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) shuts out Zviad METREVELI (GEO) 6-0 at 125kg, but Georgia wins the dual meet 6-4 to take fifth place. 

2 p.m. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) rolls to a 10-0 technical fall over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg.

1:59 p.m. Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) tops Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-3 at 92kg to push Kazakhstan's lead to 8-0. 

1:56 p.m. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) makes it look easy in picking up a 10-0 technical fall in under a minute against Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) at 97kg. 

1:53 p.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) wins by injury default over Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) at 92kg. Georgia takes a 5-3 lead with two matches remaining. 

1:49 p.m. Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) tops Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 12-5 at 86 kg. 

1:48 p.m. Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) gets a  3-0 shutout victory over Pawan KUMAR (IND) at 86kg. 

1:44 p.m. Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) won by fall over Sachin GIRI (IND) at 79kg, giving Kazakhstan a 6-0 lead. 

1:41 p.m. In a wild, high-scoring affair, Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) defeated Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) 22-17 at 79kg. Georgia now leads 4-2. 

1:37 p.m. Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) picks up a 13-7 victory over Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND) at 74kg.  

1:29 p.m. Georgia takes a 3-2 lead in the dual meet as Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) tops Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) 7-1 at 74kg. 

1:26 p.m. Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) blanks Kumar ARUN (IND) 6-0 at 70kg, extending Kazakhstan's lead to 4-0. 

1:20 p.m. Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) edges Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 2-1 at 70kg, making the dual meet score 2-2. 

1:17 p.m. Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) makes it three victories in a row for Kazakhstan as he wins by technical fall over Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) at 65kg.

1:10 p.m. Georgia received a forfeit at 65kg. 

1:08 p.m. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) rolls to an 11-0 technical fall over Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) at 61kg, giving Mongolia a 2-0 lead. 

1:07 p.m. Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) defeated Sandeep TOMAR (IND) 10-6 at 61kg. 

1:06 p.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) shuts out Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) 4-0 at 57kg to open the dual meet. 

12:57 p.m. Kazakhstan receives a forfeit at 57kg against India. 

12:56 p.m. The fifth and seventh-place matches are underway. 

12:47 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) gets a 12-2 technical fall over  Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB), which gives Kazakhstan the victory over Cuba on criteria points as each country won five matches. 

12:42 p.m. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) used a late exposure to edge Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 3-3 on criteria at 97kg. The points were not initially awarded, but it was challenged and overturned. The dual meet will come down to the final bout. 

12:34 p.m. Kazakhstan inches closer as Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) gets a 12-2 technical fall over Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) at 92kg. Cuba leads 5-3 with two matches remaining. 

12:31 p.m. Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN) shuts out PUSHPENDER (IND) 4-0, which gives Japan a 9-1 victory over India. 

12:26: Cuba extends its lead to 5-2 after Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) tops Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 4-2 at 86kg. 

11:52 a.m. Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) gives Japan another technical fall. He defeats Sachin GIRI (IND) 10-0 at 79kg. 

11:48 a.m. Japan received a forfeit at 74kg. 

11:47 a.m. KINOSHITA (JPN) dominated ARUN (IND) by technical fall at 70kg. 

11:46 a.m. Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) started the dual meet with a 4-1 win over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg. 

11:42 a.m. At 65kg, OTOGURO (JPN) kept it rolling for Japan as he claimed a technical fall over SHARVAN (IND). 

11:40 a.m. NAKAMURA (JPN) claimed an 11-0 technical fall over TOMAR (IND) at 61kg. Japan leads 2-0 after two matches. 

11:38 a.m. World champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) received a forfeit at 57kg against India. 

11:35 a.m. The next four nations competing are walking out right now. 

11:33 a.m. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) edged Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) 3-2  at 125kg, giving Azerbaijan a 7-3 victory over Mongolia. 

11:28 a.m. Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), a returning world bronze medalist, closed out the victory for USA with a 7-0 victory over Zviad METREVELI (GEO) at 125kg. USA defeats Georgia 8-2 and advances to the gold-medal match at 4 p.m. 

11:25 a.m. Roman BAKIROV (AZE) handled Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) 10-1 at 97kg. 

11:19 a.m. Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) rolled to an easy first-period 10-0 technical fall over Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) at 97kg. 

11:15 a.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) used an early takedown and late takedown to defeat Olympic and world bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) 5-0 at 92kg. USA now leads 6-2 with two matches remaining. 

11:13 a.m. Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) rolled to an 11-0 technical fall over Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) at 91kg, giving Azerbaijan a 5-3 lead with two matches left. 

11:06 a.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) picked up a 10-3 victory over Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) at 86kg. 

11:02 a.m. David TAYLOR (USA) kept the ball rolling for USA as he picked up an 11-1 technical fall over Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) at 86kg.

10:59 a.m. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) cruised to a 12-2 technical fall over Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) at 79kg. 

10:53 a.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) was dominant in a 10-0 victory over Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) at 79kg. The USA goes up 5-1 through six matches. 

10:48 a.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, cruised to a first-period technical fall over Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) at 74kg. Burroughs registered three takedowns and put the match away with a leg lace. 

10:45 a.m. Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) picked up a victory over Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) at 74kg. 

10:41 a.m. Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) nearly had a technical fall, but had to settle for an 8-0 victory over Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) to put USA up 3-1 on Georgia. 

10:38 a.m. At 70kg, Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) topped Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 9-4 to even the dual meet score at 2-2. 

10:31 a.m. 2016 world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) registered a quick 10-0 technical fall over Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg. 

10:27 a.m. Azerbaijan received a forfeit victory at 65kg. 

10:25 a.m. Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) came back to defeat Kendric MAPLE (USA) 3-3 on criteria at 61kg. Lomtadze scored a late takedown, which gave him the lead and eventually the victory. 

10:24 a.m.  Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) topped Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) 7-2 to give Mongolia a 2-0 victory. 

10:18 a.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) edged Afgan KHASHALOV (AZE) at 57kg to put Mongolia up 1-0. 

10:14 a.m. World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) put USA on the board with a 6-4 victory over Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) at 57kg. Gilman trailed after the opening period, but used five step outs in the final period to come back and win.

9:23 a.m. Follow action on Day 2 of the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. CT. 

Saravi, Hedayati win gold to cap Iran's dominance at ISG 2025

By Vinay Siwach

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 19) -- If there was battle for the most dominant wrestler among the Iranian wrestlers, it would be a close one. Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) won Asian and World Championships and a Ranking Series gold before winning the gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 on Tuesday.

Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) won gold at Zagreb Ranking Series, gold at senior and U23 World Championships and like Esmaeili, gold at ISG 2025.

On Wednesday, Olympic and world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) also joined that list as he won gold medal at 97kg at ISG in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Saravi has been unstoppable this year, just like Esmaeili and Farokhi, winning Ranking Series gold, and gold medals at the Asian and World Championships. In Riyadh, he showed why he has been so good this year.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) turns Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) from par terre in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In one of the marquee matches of the night, Saravi held his own to beat world bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) in the 97kg final.Saravi and Ahmadiyev were clearly a notch up the field in Riyadh in their weight class and reached the final with ease. But when the two clashed, Saravi clearly had a gameplan to not get caught in any upset.

Ahmadiyev had pinned Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) at the World Championships after a block when the Armenian was trying a gut wrench. So when Saravi got the chance in par terre in the final, he only tried a gut wrench once and then let the referee call neutral.

Saravi went into the break leading 3-0. He was called passive in the second period and put in par terre but he defend the position and gave only one point. As Ahmadiyev struggled with his conditioning, Saravi managed to score two stepouts and win the gold medal with a 5-1 score.

The Iranian has now not lost since the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade, extending his winning run to over two years.

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) prepares to throw Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) during the 130kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, rising star Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) too has a great winning run. Since his U20 World Championships final loss in 2022, Hedayati has not lost an international bout and capped his 2025 season with gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025.

Placed in Group A of the Nelson bracket, Hedayati topped his group before winning the semifinal with ease. In the final, he faced Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), who the Iranian defeated in the first group bout 3-0.

If that was a warm-up win, Hedayati showed what he is capable of, winning the final in just 35 second via fall against Abdellatif. He began with a four-point throw which was challenged by Egypt only to lose the challenge.

Leading 5-0, Hedayati hit an arm-throw for two points before dragging Abdellatif for another takedown with his back on the mat. Hedayati held the Egyptian in that position and secured the fall to end the match and capture the gold medal.

Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) celebrates after winning the 50kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Three women's wrestling weight classes were also in action on Wednesday in Riyadh and three different countries won gold medals.

At 50kg, Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) needed a hip-toss in the last 30 seconds to score four points against Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR) and take a 5-1 lead. The Uzbekistan wrestler led 1-0 at the break after Geneisi's passivity. But the Nigerian took an 1-1 criteria lead in the last minute when Keunimjaeva was called passive.

Desperate to find an opening, Keunimjaeva locked both of Geneisis' arms and tossed her for four points, taking a 5-1 lead and defending it to win the gold medal.

Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR)Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) won the gold medal at 53kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The winning country was reversed in the 53kg final as Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) defeated Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 11-1, to win the gold medal.

Akhmedova failed to match the power of Ogunsanya who kept scoring with counter takedowns. She scored a takedown and a turn using lace to win the bout 11-1.

The final gold medal of the night went to former U23 world champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who defeated European silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) in the 57kg final.

Aliyeva, who had defeated Suleyman in Round 1 bout as well, faced the Turkish wrestler again and kept it simple. She scored three takedown before giving up one in the final few seconds. She managed to hold on to her 6-2 lead for the win.

Photo

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

97kg
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) df. Mohamed GABR (EGY), 3-1
BRONZE: Rouabah FADI (ALG) df. Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), via fall (9-0)

BRONZE: Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) df. Roman KIM (KGZ), 11-2

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) df. Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR), 5-1

BRONZE: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Chebila CHEIMA (ALG), 7-0

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 11-1

BRONZE: Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) df. Yusma DESWITA (INA), via fall (3-0
BRONZE: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) df. Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), 14-3

57kg
GOLD: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR), 6-2

BRONZE: Tekouk ACHOUAK DJAMILA (ALG) df. Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), via fall (14-3)