Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 2

By United World Wrestling Press

Watch Freestyle Cup Live Stream

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. 

#JapanWrestling

Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics

By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 24) -- Where is Masanosuke ONO (JPN)?

A question that has intrigued both fans and wrestlers alike as Ono continues to missing from international wrestling since he became the world champion at 61kg in 2024.

Ono watched the Meiji Cup 2026 in Tokyo as he was in Japan to change his United States visa. Since he did not participate in the 2025 Emperor's Cup, Ono was ineligible to participate in the Meiji Cup.

 United World Wrestling caught up with Ono on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup in Tokyo. Ono talks about his comeback, plan for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, life at Penn State and more:

UWW Plus

Excerpts:

- Why did you not participate in the Meiji Cup

Ono: I suppose it’s only natural that I can’t play because I don’t have the right to do so. That’s just the way things are in Japan. I’m aiming to make a comeback so that I can play in the next Emperor’s Cup and Meiji Cup. This has been a good period of preparation for that.

- How are your preparation for the comeback?

Ono: I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now, so I’m absolutely fine. It’s just that I haven’t competed much since the World Championships ended about two years ago, and there’s a part of me that simply can’t suppress the urge to get back out there. So I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition soon and giving it my all.

- When will you compete next?

Ono: I’ll be aiming to qualify [for Emperor's Cup]. As for the weight class, I’m thinking of competing in the 61kg category at the Shakaijin Championships. [The Shakaijin Championships will be held on July 11]. Once I’ve qualified, I’m not quite sure yet whether I’ll move down a weight class, stay in the same one, or move up, but I’m planning to set myself some clear goals.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)Masanosuke ONO (JPN) giving interview on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Ikuo Higuchi)

- How challenging life is at Penn State in the United States?

Ono: I imagine there are plenty of challenges. The rules of wrestling are different there, so there’s a lot to learn. I’m always being taught and helped by others. When it comes to what I’ve actually taken on board, it’s obviously wrestling. As for other aspects of school life, I wasn’t really the type who was naturally good at studying. I’m currently studying philosophy at a university in the United States, and whilst it’s a bit tricky, I’m doing my best in my own way.

- What is your daily routine?

Ono: I have practice in the morning, then I go to lessons, then there’s another practice session around midday, and then in the evening - or rather, in the late afternoon - I study with the translator.

- How's your experience at Penn State and Folkstyle?

Ono: I do a lot of Folkstyle, and I do a bit of Freestyle as well, but there’s so much to learn that I’m still very much a novice. When it comes to training, coach Cael SANDERSON, and his brother Cody, who’s also a coach, as well as Casey CUNNINGHAM and Nick LEE. Everyone, both the students and my flat mates, are really strong, so I’m learning a hell of a lot from them.

There really are so many movements that are unique to Folkstyle, I still feel a bit of a gap there. But once I’ve got the hang of it, I reckon I’ll be able to grow even more myself without losing sight of the good bits. If I just focus on that one thing, it’ll disappear, so I’m thinking I’ll keep 95 per cent of my style exactly as it is and just add a few bits here and there.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) showing his grades.

- Do you like studying Philosophy? 

Ono: Philosophy. No, I don’t really get it. (Ono scored a remarkable 3.74 CGPA in his last semester).

- Why did you decide to wrestle Folkstyle?

Ono: I want to do Folkstyle more because I like Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. I was world champ maybe two years ago, but I know Freestyle like 95 percent but Folkstyle, that I don't know. So I mean, I just I'm excited compete Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. 

- When will you compete for Penn State and why have you not yet?

Ono: I don't know why. If the coaches say you go, I go. I am learning for maybe just one year. It's kind of hard.

- Marcus BLAZE (USA) is your roommate. What you learn from him?

Ono: He's my roommate and in my weight. He's great guy. He's my weight maybe. I learn a lot from him. He likes pickleball. He likes something like outside. I cannot drive. I don't have license. So he drive me around there.

- If you want to go to 2028 LA Olympics, what is the path for you? If it's at 57kg, will you take inspiration from Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who made it at 57kg for Paris?

Ono: I compete at December competition because of 2028 Olympics trial. I have to. I mean my weight like around 64kg so maybe this difficult. Living in America, when the Olympics are held here, you can’t exactly just give up on the idea of competing, you can’t just walk away from it. But when it comes to the Olympics, at 57 or 65kg, with the 8kgs mark being a key hurdle, it’s certainly a challenge. So I thought I’d just have to take it step by step, listening to my body as I go along. I’m not really that bothered about winning or losing. I just want to wrestle, so to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.

Higuchi is amazing. I am sure he is mentally tough. I like to eat and I like chipotle.

- Which weight class are you aiming for?

Ono: If [Rei] Higuchi were to join us at 57kg, I’d be absolutely chuffed. I’d be just as chuffed if we played with Higuchi at 65kg, or with [Kotaro] Kiyooka at 65kg. I’m not sure about [Toshihiro] Hasegawa, but I reckon [Rin] Sakamoto would be there. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if they all got together?