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. 

#WrestleAlexandria

Wrestling World's Attention on Dunia after Golden Show

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 2) -- Dunia SIBOMANA (COD) was six years old when, in an instant, his childhood was shattered.

While playing with his brother and cousin at the Virunga National Park in the Congo, the three boys were attacked by chimpanzees. His brother and cousin did not survive. Dunia did, but just barely. The attack left him with devastating injuries to his lips, face, and right ear. Much of the muscle in his face was destroyed, and he lost the middle finger of his left hand. Yet from that unimaginable tragedy, a story of resilience began to take shape - one that saw rise to claim two golds at the African Championships in Alexandria.

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At just eight years old, Dunia was brought to the United States for a chance at rebuilding what had been taken from him. What followed was a long and gruelling journey through 14 intensive surgeries, where doctors painstakingly grafted tissue and muscle in an effort to reconstruct his lips and restore basic function to his face. Each procedure was another battle, each recovery another test of endurance.

During his time in the United States, Dunia lived with two host families before finding a permanent home with Long Beach assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez and his wife, Marissa. What began as care turned into something deeper. They adopted him, giving him not just stability but a family. In 2019, Dunia officially became a permanent U.S. resident.

That possibility found its outlet on the wrestling mat. Dunia emerged as a force in middle school and continued to rise through the ranks at Long Beach High School. His determination, forged through years of hardship, translated into a relentless drive. At just 14 years old, he captured the New York State Division 1 wrestling championship title in 2022, a stunning achievement that marked him as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

On Saturday, Dunia’s journey reached another defining moment. Competing at 57kg for his birth nation, Congo, he claimed the gold medal with commanding authority. He opened with a tense 3-2 victory over Alaa ELSAYED (EGY), then surged past Mouadh CHIBANI (ALG) with a dominant 12-2 semifinal win. In the final, he needed just 51 seconds to overwhelm Roland NFORSONG (CMR), sealing a 10–0 technical superiority victory.

Dunia’s march to the top of the podium was even more remarkable because he was one of the two wrestlers in Freestyle not from Egypt or Algeria to win the gold medal. The other wrestler who put the brakes on Egypt’s dominance was Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR), who defeated Mohamed SALAHELDIN (EGY) 10-4 to win the gold medal in the 97kg category.

These two results, however, did not stop Egypt from running away with the team title. The host-nation wrestlers reigned supreme in six out of the 10 categories, winning gold medals in the 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 92kg and 125kg weight classes. Algeria were second best, claiming top-of-the-podium finishes at 79kg and 86kg divisions.

Hassan ELSAYED (EGY) started the fireworks for the hosts by defending his title at 61kg. He started with a flawless 12-0 win over Saviour EGOLI (NGR), then beat Rabby KILANDI (COD) on superiority in the second round. He maintained his unbeaten record by defeating Tadeu DE DEUS (ANG) in the third round and entering the semifinals, where he defeated Mustapha BATNINI (TUN) 11-0. In the final, Elsayed beat Abdelghani AID (ALG) 9-1 to win the title.

Shehabeldin MOHAMED (EGY) took just two minutes to pin Stephen AKINTEWE (NGR) in the 65kg final to claim the title. He used a perfect over-under to throw Akintewe and secure the fall. Soon after, Mohamed AHMED (EGY) was even quicker to win the 70kg final against Wotna NDOC (GBS), 12-1, rolling him using the gut-wrench to win in just 1:02 minutes and upgrading his 2025 silver to gold.

Defending champion at 74kg Omar MOURAD (EGY) managed to retain his gold medal after winning the final against Ebierelayefa ANDREW (NGR) in just 1:13. Mourad used a counter front headlock to throw Andrew over and then pinned the Nigerian used a double-arm lock.

Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) added the fifth gold medal, beating Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU (MAR), 12-0, in the 92kg final. He used an arm-throw to score four points, then a fireman carry to get two more and lead 6-0. He could not pin Lahlou but got two more points for exposure. A second arm-throw gave him four more points and win the final via technical superiority.

In the round-robin bracket at 125kg, Abdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY) won all four of his bouts in dominant fashion to claim the gold medal. He won his first bout against Joel TOKAI (KEN), 10-0, pinned Issah FUSEINI (GHA), got a forfeit in Round 4 and then pinned Laid KHELIF (ALG), the eventual silver medalist, in Round 5.

At 79kg, Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG) managed to defended his gold medal at the expense of Mohamed ABDELHADY (EGY), winning the final 10-0. A stepout opened the scoring for Ikkal who then scored a takedown using a leg-attack before lacing Abdelhady for a turn to lead 5-0. He tripped the Egyptian for two more points before an easy takedown made it 9-0. He finished the final with a stepout to win just before the break.

Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) reclaimed the 86kg title after three years, beating Gabriel MC DUFFIE (SLE), 12-0 in the final. He used two beautiful arm throws to score eight points and two turns for two points each. Despite the loss to Benferdjallah, McDuffie can be proud that he is the first-ever Freestyle silver medalist for Sierra Leone at the African Championships.

Photo

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Dunia SIBOMANA (COD) df. Roland TAMBI NFORSONG (CMR), 10-0

BRONZE: John LEOPOLD (MRI) df. Makaya KATENDI (ANG), 9-1
BRONZE: Mouadh CHIBANI (ALG) df. Alaa ELSAYED (EGY), 11-7

61kg
GOLD: Hassan ELSAYED (EGY) df. Abdelghani AID (ALG), 9-1

BRONZE: Saviour EGOLI (NGR) df. Mustapha BATNINI (TUN), 5-5

65kg
GOLD: Shehabeldin MOHAMED (EGY) df. Stephen AKINTEWE (NGR), via fall

BRONZE: Raby BAPELEKIA (CGO) df. Gilbert MWAMBA (ZAM), 11-0
BRONZE: Oussama LARIBI (ALG) df. Gabriel YANGA (COD), 10-0

70kg
GOLD: Mohamed AHMED (EGY) df. Wotna NDOC (GBS), 12-1

BRONZE: Khaireddine BEN TLILI (TUN) df. Mourad SAAD (MAR), via forfeit
BRONZE: Dideikemei EREFAGHA (NGR) df. Elie DJEKOUNDAKOM DJERAYOM (CHA), 12-0

74kg
GOLD: Omar MOURAD (EGY) df. Ebierelayefa ANDREW (NGR), via fall

BRONZE: Abderrahmane BENAISSA (ALG) df. Jacques MONTY MBOUGOU (CMR), 5-2
BRONZE: Caetano ANTONIO SA (GBS) df. Omar LAMBARRAA (MAR), 7-5

79kg
GOLD: Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG) df. Mohamed ABDELHADY (EGY), 10-0

BRONZE: Solomon ULABO (NGR) df. Totiana RAZAFINJATO (MAD), via fall
BRONZE: Andy MUKENDI (COD) df. Mohammed BOUAZOUNI (MAR), 10-0

86kg
GOLD: Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) df. Gabriel MC DUFFIE (SLE), 12-0

BRONZE: Mohamed EL MEKKAOUI (MAR) df. Persy BAMONA (COD), via fall
BRONZE: Matteo MONTEIRO FURTADO TRESSE (CPV) df. Bouba SALEH (CHA), 10-3

92kg
GOLD: Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) df. Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU (MAR), 12-0

BRONZE: Kevin MOSSE (BUR) df. Tiwisna BAMBA (CHA), via fall

97kg
GOLD: Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR) df. Mohamed SALAHELDIN (EGY), 10-4

BRONZE: Wali KEBIR (ALG) df. Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR), via inj. def.

125kg
GOLD: Abdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY)
SILVER: Laid KHELIF (ALG)
BRONZE: Issah FUSEINI (GHA)