#wrestlenursultan

Gray Grabs U.S.-Record 5th Women’s World Gold; Kawai Wins 57kg Showdown with Rong

By Ken Marantz

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 19)---By winning a fifth world title, Adeline GRAY (USA) became sole holder of the record for American women. It wasn’t lost on her either that she did it with a victory over a Japanese in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“Number five,” Gray said, as if she needed to remind herself of the accomplishment. “Heading into the Olympics in Tokyo, beating Japan---man, that country is so good at women’s wrestling.”

Gray scored all of her points late in the first period and held on for a 4-2 victory over Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) in the 76kg final, one of four golds decided on Day 6 of the Nur-Sultan World Championships.  

In defending the title she won a year ago in Budapest, Gray also broke a tie with Trish Saunders for most world golds by an American woman. 

“It’s pretty awesome,” Gray said. “Sara McMann, Kristie Davis, Trish Saunders, they reach out to me every once in a while just to let me know they’re watching and excited about women’s wrestling, and it’s pretty special.”

The 28-year-old Gray had beaten Minagawa 6-1 at the Women’s World Cup in March 2018, but found the two-time bronze medalist more than a handful this time.

Adeline GRAY (USA) waves at photographers while standing on top of the world podium. (Kadir Caliskan)

“She was doing a great job,” Gray said. “She frustrated me. I have an attack hand and she wouldn’t let me tie up with it, and she’s so low to the ground and able to keep her legs back that I wasn’t able to get my reach. So I was having to adjust, and I finally made those adjustments.”

Minagawa earned the first point with Gray on the activity clock, but the American went ahead 4-1 with a takedown and tilt late in the first period. Gray said that she recalled advice she overheard from USA development coach Kevin Jackson.

“I was listening to coach Jackson yesterday talk to the men’s freestyle team and he said it’s important for world champions to go out there and score points at the end of the periods,” she said.

“I felt like I was really focused in that period, so I didn’t really know it was the end. But I definitely felt like we had been hand-fighting for a while. So I took some drive from that speech last night.”

In the second period, Gray held off the attacks of Minagawa, who scored a consolation stepout with :02 left. 

The two could face each other again at Tokyo 2020, as the top six finishers in each weight class secured berths for their country. Minagawa, by winning a medal, fulfilled the Japan federation criteria that allows her to automatically fill the spot without any further domestic qualifying process. 

Risako KAWAI (JPN) is carried around the mat after winning the 57kg world title. (Kadir Caliskan)

Joining Minagawa on the Olympic team will be Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist Risako KAWAI (JPN), who captured her third straight world gold in her first foray in the Olympic weight class of 57kg. 

Kawai, the 59kg champion in 2018, dominated defending champion RONG Ningning (CHN) for much of the 57kg final before surviving a late comeback and holding on for a 9-6 victory.

Kawai, who defeated four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) in a playoff that drew national attention to make Japan’s team to Nur-Sultan, took a 5-0 lead in the first period, than added a pair of takedowns in the second.

As Kawai pressed for the points to secure a technical fall, Rong used a headlock counter for 4 points, then rolled Kawai to cut the gap to 3 with a minute to go. But the Japanese remained out of danger the rest of the way to secure the gold.

“I got to 9 points and only needed one more to finish it off, but the Chinese wrestler is strong and I gave up 4 points,” Kawai said. “Part of me thought I was going to turned over at the very end, and that I’m glad this wasn’t [the] Tokyo [Olympics].”

Kawai broke down in tears after the win and was consoled by her coach at matside, a mixture of joy and relief for the long journey that she had taken to this moment. 

“It’s a point along the way, one step up toward my objective, although it is not enough of a step,” Kawai said.

Risako KAWAI (JPN) surrounded by members of the media after winning her third world title. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

There were also mixed emotions, as earlier in the day, younger sister Yukako had lost in the quarterfinals at 62kg. The two are extremely close and have a joint dream of winning Olympic golds together. Yukako can still clinch a spot by making in through the repechage and winning a bronze on Friday.

Risako said she did not see Yukako’s loss, and did not find about it until well later.

“I was back at the hotel until my final and had planned to watch it on TV, but they cut to another mat and I didn’t see it,” Kawai said. “Nobody contacted me, and I didn’t hear from anyone when Yukako was supposed to wrestle [her next match]. 

“I called my mother to ask her what happened. I thought, perhaps she lost, and that broke my heart. But my mother came by and said, ‘Risako, wrestle the way Risako knows how,’ which encouraged me.”

In the 59kg final, Linda MORAIS (CAN) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when she used an underhook pancake to pin Luibov OVCHAROVA (RUS).

Ovcharova stormed out to a 6-1 lead, scoring a takedown and two rolls before Morais slipped out of the second hold for a reversal. When the Russian came in on tackle, Morais got an arm over Ovcharova’s head and under an arm, then levered her to her back for a fall in 2:15.

The victory made Morais, a bronze medalist in 2016, the fifth Canadian woman in history to win a world gold.

In another final in a non-Olympic weight, 2018 European silver medalist Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) made short work of Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) in the 65kg final, storming to a 13-0 technical fall in 4:12.

In the bronze medal matches, Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) earned her third world medal---each in an odd-numbered year---with a 10-0 technical fall of world junior silver medalist Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) at 57kg. 

The other bronze went to Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), a 4-0 winner over Jowita WRZESIEN (POL).

China had wrestlers in each of the three other weight classes, and came out with two victories. 

PEI Xingru (CHN) denied Pooja DHANDA (IND) a second straight world bronze by beating her 5-3 at 59kg, while WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) rolled to a 10-0 technical fall over Forrest MOLINARI (USA) in just over a minute at 65kg.

Veteran Epp MAEE (EST) denied the Chinese trifecta by beating ZHOU Qian (CHN) 6-4 at 76kg for her third career world medal and first since 2015.

The other bronze medals went to Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) at 59kg, Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) at 65kg and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) at 76kg

Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) celebrates after defeating returning world silver medalist Bajrang PUNIA (IND), 9-9, in the semifinals. (Kadir Caliskan)

Niyazbekov ousts Punia to make 65kg final against Rashidov
In the semifinals in four weight classes held earlier in the session, Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) pulled off biggest surprise when he knocked off 2018 world silver medalist Bajrang PUNIA (IND), 9-9 at freestyle 65kg.

With the score tied 2-2 in the second period, Niyazbekov chalked up 4 points on a counter to a throw by Punia that could have gone either way, and got another point from an unsuccessful challenge. He then scored a takedown to make it 9-2.

But Punia, the Asian champion, has made a name for himself for dramatic comebacks, and he started one with a pair of takedowns to make it 9-6 with just under a minute to go. With Niyazbekov clearly running out of gas, Punia got another takedown, a penalty point and then a final takedown.

That tied the score, but the 4-point play earlier in the period was the top criteria, giving the win to Niyazbekov, who acknowledged he had felt worn out from his 6-2 win over Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the previous round.

“Actually, I couldn’t even imagine I would win in the semifinal,” Niyazbekov said. “After my match with the Mongolian, I felt really tired.” 

The victory put him into the final against Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), who will aim for his first world gold after winning silvers at 61kg the past two years before moving up to the Olympic weight class.

He advanced with a touch-and-go 3-2 win over Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), after knocking off Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) and defending champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) along the way.

“I have never wrestled him, but I know his style very well,” Niyazbekov said of Rashidov. “He doesn’t make any mistakes. I will try to wear him down.”

Zavur UGUEV (RUS) will try to defend his Budapest world title on Friday night when he wrestles Suleyman ATLI (TUR) in the 57kg finals.(Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Zavur UGUEV (RUS) earned a shot at a second straight world title by advancing with a 6-4 win over a gutsy Kumar RAVI (IND), who fought back from a 6-0 deficit but just came up short.  

In the final, Uguev will take on Suleyman ATLI (TUR), who scored a 4-point move with :08 left to stun 2018 silver medalist Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) 5-3. That assures Atli of improving on his bronze medal from last year. 

In the women’s 62kg class, defending champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) will face Asian champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) after both won their semifinals with little trouble.

Yusein needed just :39 to chalk up a 10-0 technical fall over Marianna SASTIN (HUN), while Tynybekova eased to a 7-0 win over KIM Jong Sim (PRK).

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) picked up a stunning 10-1 win over two-time world and Olympic champion Sara DOSHO (JPN). (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

At 68kg Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) continued to have the tournament of her life, as the 2018 bronze medalist crushed Anna SCHELL (GER) by 10-0 technical fall. Her path to the final included a victory over Rio 2016 Olympic and two-time world champion Sara DOSHO (JPN).

Mensah Stock’s opponent in the final, Rio 2016 bronze medalist Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), gets the never-say-die award, as her 9-7 victory over Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) marked her second straight victory by scoring in the final seconds.

The Swedish veteran, 32, is looking to add to her lone world gold---won back in 2012.

The competition continues with Day 7 on Friday, in which the qualification rounds will be held in freestyle 70kg, 74kg, 92kg and 125kg, as well as the repechage rounds for four divisions started Thursday. 

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

57kg (34 entries)
Semifinal – Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ), 5-3 
Semifinal – Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Kumar RAVI (IND), 6-4

65kg (44 entries)
Semifinal – Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) df. Bajrang PUNIA (IND), 9-9
Semifinal – Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 3-2

Women’s Wrestling 

57kg (31 entries)
Gold – Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. RONG Ningning (CHN), 9-6
Bronze – Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), 4-0
Bronze – Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) by TF, 10-0, 1:56 

59kg (18 entries)
Gold – Linda MORAIS (CAN) df. Luibov OVCHAROVA (RUS) by Fall, 2:15 (3-6) 
Bronze – PEI Xingru (CHN) df. Pooja DHANDA (IND), 5-3
Bronze – Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) df. Anhelina LYSAK (URK) by Fall, 3;38 (10-0) 

62kg (34 entries)
Semifinal – Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) df. Marianna SASTIN (HUN) by TF, 10-0, :39
Semifinal – Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. KIM Jong Sim (PRK), 7-0 

65kg (17 entries)
Gold – Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) by TF, 13-0, 4:12  
Bronze – WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) df. Forrest MOLINARI (USA) by TF, 10-0, 1:07
Bronze – Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), 3-1

68kg (32 entries)
Semifinal – Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) df. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), 9-7 
Semifinal – Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) df. Anna SCHELL (GER) by TF, 10-0, 3:00 

76kg (31 entries)
Gold – Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN), 4-2  
Bronze – Epp MAEE (EST) df. ZHOU Qian (CHN), 6-4 
Bronze – Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) vs Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER), 3-0

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 3 Results: Yaneva wins 68kg; Ostaev Best in GR 87kg

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 27) -- World silver medalist Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) opened her 2026 season with a gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana. Just two months before the European Championships, Yaneva's gold medal makes her the favorite to win gold.

In a field that had Olympic silver medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) and European medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), Yaneva displayed tactical wrestling on her way to pick gold, blanking Zhumanazarova in the final.

While the final lacked action, it was full of some top-level defense with Yaneva being quick to throw her legs back whenever she was attack, circling to get in position and even remained active in both periods to be not put on the activity clock.

Zhumanazarova, however, was put on the clock twice and she failed to score both times, giving Yaneva a 2-0 lead, which was also the winning score.

Macey KILTY (USA)Macey KILTY (USA) defeated Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) in the 62kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At the other Olympic weight class in action on Friday, world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA) added a gold medal to her season opening bronze at the Zagreb Open three weeks ago.

Kilty, who has moved down to 62kg from 65kg this season, secured three victory via technical superiorities and one was a 9-0 blanking in the semifinals.

The 24-year-old opened the day with a 10-0 win over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) and won next bout against Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) with the same score. Facing Zagreb Open silver medalist Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) in the semifinal, Kilty brought her counter-attacking game and won 9-0.

Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) was moving up to 62kg from 59kg and she felt the difference against Kilty in the final as the American was little too strong for Sidelnikova. Despite giving up two points in an exchange, Kilty controlled the final to win 12-2.

Kilty and Sidelnikova had met in the opening round at the Zagreb Open as well and the former had won via fall.

Othelie HOEIE (NOR)Othelie HOEIE (NOR) scores the match-winning takedown against Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 59kg, Othelie HOEIE (NOR) won her first international medal in over two years by Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), 4-2, in the final.

In 2023, Hoeie had one of her best season, winning bronze at the World and European Championships. But since, she has failed to win a medal at six events over the past two years.

The drought finally ended and that too with a gold as Hoeie won three low scoring but tactical bouts in Tirana. She began with a 4-0 victory over Dilan TAN (TUR) before stopping Abigail NETTE (USA), 2-0, in the semifinals.

In the final against Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), Hoeie was about to be called passive when her forward pressure took Lipatova towards the edge and Hoeie scored a takedown to open the scoring and lead 2-0.

Lipatova took a 2-2 criteria lead early in the second period with a powerful takedown that Hoeie failed to defend. As the clock ticked, Hoeie attempted various attacks but with no success.

But in the final minute, Lipatova defending a takedown by pressuring Hoeie's on the mat but the Norway wrestler managed snuggle out of that and score a clear takedown to lead 4-2.

She defended that lead for the final 44 seconds to win a Ranking Series gold, the first of her career.

Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) battles it out against Kriszta INCZE (ROU) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

World silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) kept it later to beat Kriszta INCZE (ROU). 4-2, for the gold medal.

Kasabieva was put on the activity clock in both periods and she failed to score any points in those, giving Incze a 2-0 lead. But as the second period expired, Kasabieva scored a takedown to make it 2-2 but led on criteria, thanks points via bigger technique.

Incze tried a last-ditch attempt in the final 10 seconds but an alert Kasabieva stepped backwards before scoring the match sealing takedown.

Alan OSTAEV (UWW)Alan OSTAEV (UWW) prepares to throw Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) during the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Ostaev, Stepanov Win Greco Golds

Former world champion Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) was in unreal form today looked like he is going to run away with the 87kg gold medal. He almost did as well.

In the final against Alan OSTAEV (UWW), Gobadze hit a reverse lift for four points to lead 5-3. But Ostaev managed to score a front headlock roll to cut the lead to 5-3.

It all changed in the second period when Ostaev exposed Gobadze's weak conditioning. He scored points using a gut-wrench from par terre and won the gold medal 12-5.

World champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) was also entered in the weight class but Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) stunned him 1-1 in the opening bout. Alirzaev lost his second bout to Gobadze, 6-6, before returning to win the bronze medal.

Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) kept it a simpler against Evgenii BAIDUSOV (UWW), pulling off a 4-0 victory in the 77kg final.

He began with a stepout against Baidusov which was doubled up as Baidusov was penalized for fleeing, giving a 2-0 lead to Stepanov. Then came the point for first par terre position. Though Stepanov failed to score any points, he was up 3-0 at the break.

In a rare occasion, Stepanov was awarded the second par terre position as well in the second. He again failed to score but held a 4-0 lead which he defended until the clock expired.

Photo

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

59kg
GOLD: Othelie HOEIE (NOR) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), 4-2

BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE: Abigail NETTE (USA) df. Dilan TAN (TUR), 3-1

62kg
GOLD: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW), 12-2

BRONZE: SAVITA (IND) df. Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA), 7-5
BRONZE: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR). 7-4

65kg
GOLD: Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) df. Kriszta INCZE (ROU). 4-2

BRONZE: Emma BRUNTIL (USA) df. Aizhan SUIDUOVA (KAZ), 10-0
BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Apeksha PATIL (IND), 4-3

68kg
GOLD: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 2-0

BRONZE: Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) df. KIRTI (IND), 8-4
BRONZE: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Solin PIEARCY (USA), 10-0

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) df. Evgenii BAIDUSOV (UWW), 4-0

BRONZE: Amir ABDI (IRI) df. Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ), 4-3
BRONZE: Robert FRITSCH (HUN) df. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), 5-3

87kg
GOLD: Alan OSTAEV (UWW) df. Lasha GOBADZE (GEO), 12-5

BRONZE: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ), 8-4
BRONZE: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) df. Islam ALIEV (UWW), 9-0

Morning Session Highlights

15:35: Greco 87kg semifinals - Two high scoring semifinals as Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) slams Islam ALIEV (UWW) twice using reverse lift to win 9-0 while Alan OSTAEV (UWW) scores takedowns at will against Istvan TAKACS (HUN) to beat him 8-0

15:25: Greco 77kg semifinals - Two Iranians fall in the semifinals at 77kg. Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) beats Amir ABDI (IRI), 3-2, after defending well in the second period. He scored a turn in the first period from par terre to take a 3-0 lead. When asked to go down on par terre in the second period, he gives up only a points to keep the 3-2 lead. He will take on Evgenii BAIDUSOV (UWW) for the gold medal after the UWW wrestler denied Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), 6-1.

15:15: 68kg semifinals - In what was the match of the day, Olympic silver medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) held Nesrin BAS (TUR) down with all her might to win the semifinals at 68kg. Zhumanazarova led 3-0 but Bas was given a point for Zhumunazarova's play and then the Kyrgyzstan wrestler was failed to score during the activity clock that made the score 3-2. Bas got on a single leg attack during the last 15 seconds but was unable to expose Zhumanazarova despite constant pressure. A lost challenge from Bas made the score 4-2 for Zhumanazarova.

For the gold medal, Zhumanazarova will face world silver medalist Yuliana YANEVA (BUL). A slow start to the semifinal between Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) and Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) with the former getting called passive and Sjoeberg leading 1-0 at the break. But Yaneva scores a takedown and a stepout in the second period to lead 3-1. Sjoeberg managed to get on an attack was about to takedown to Yaneva but the Bulgarian disturbed the Sweden wrestler and scored a lift to get two points and gave up one for the reversal to complete a 5-2 win.

15:00: 65kg semifinals - Apeksha PATIL (IND) gave an early scare to Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) but the latter manages to stand firm despite constant attacks from Patil. She counters those attacks and score five takedowns in her 12-2 win. She will face Kriszta INCZE (ROU) for the gold medal after the Romanian blanked Aizhan SUIDUOVA (KAZ), 10-0.

14:50: 62kg semifinals - Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) scores a stepout with four seconds remaining to win the semifinal against Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA). Nwachukwu led 3-2 but pressure from Sidelnikova forces the American out of the zone which gives Sidelnikova a 3-3 criteria lead. The U.S. challenges the call but loses to make it 4-3 with four seconds left. Nwachukwu doesn't give up and gets body lock and throws Sidelnikolva in time but the UWW wrestler does not land in danger, hence no points. Sidelnikova will face Macey KILTY (USA) after she denied Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), 9-0, in the first semifinals. She scored four takedown and a stepout. Lindborg got on her attacks multiple times but failed to finish them.

14:40: 59kg semifinals - Former world bronze medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR) picks up a 2-0 win over Abigail NETTE (USA). Both points coming from activity clock points. She will face Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW) for the gold medal after Lipatova also managed a 2-0 win against Bediha GUN (TUR), points for a takedown in the first period.

Semifinals will begin at 14:00 hours local time

13:40: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ), world bronze medalist, got the par terre in first period but failed to score any points from there. On the other hand, Alan OSTAEV (UWW) scored two takedowns in his 6-1 victory over Zhanyshov to advance to the semifinals at 87kg.

13:20: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) manages to defend his par terre position against Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) to defeat the Kazakhstan wrestler 4-1 and advance to the semifinals at 87kg.

13:00: World silver medalist Yulia YANEVA (BUL) with a controlled 5-1 victory over KIRTI (IND) while Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) beats Solin PIEARCY (USA), 10-0, to advance to the semifinals at 68kg

12:50: Not to be for Grace BULLEN (NOR) in an all Nordic battle against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at 62kg. Lindborg was controlling Bullen in a pin position but failed to get it. However, her 8-2 lead was enough to get the victory over Bullen

12:45: World bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA) with a leg lace to build a 9-0 lead over Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) at 62kg. In the second period, Prokopevniuk with an aggressive move which forces the referees to caution her and award a point to Kilty, giving the American a 10-0 victory

12:30: Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), world silver medalist at 65kg, with a clean and controlled 6-0 victory over Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) at 65kg. Moments later, Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) beats SAVITA (IND) at 62kg, 11-0.

12:20: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) got the par terre position in the second period over Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) with the score reading 6-2 in favor of the latter. But Alirzaev managed one turn to make it 6-4 with over a minute remaining. He needed three points for a victory. He scored a takedown to make it 6-6 but could not find one more point for the win. He drop the bout and with that world champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) will not get a repechage and return home without a medal.

12:00: World bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) led 3-2 at the break against Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) and then scored two more points in the second period to complete a 5-2 victory at 87kg.

11:40: Alireza Morad ABDEVALI (IRI) with a stepout in the second period to beat U23 world champion Alexandru GUTU (MDA), 3-2, at 77kg. Gutu scored a takedown in the first period to lead 2-0. But he gave up a stepout before being put in par terre which made the score 2-2. As Abdevali was not able to score, Gutu held the criteria for a bigger move. But Abdevali scored a stepout to break the tie and win.

11:25: A quick win for Olympic Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) over Destiny ADEYELE (USA), finishing her first bout at 68kg, 11-0.

11:15: Grace BULLEN (NOR) was trailing 5-2 against MANSI (IND) with 10 seconds left but manages to bring down the Indian with an outside trip and a fall. While the fall was not confirmed before the clock expired, Bullen wins 6-5. Nothing else expected of Bullen

11:10: SAVITA (IND), a former U20 world champion, SAVITA (IND) with a fall over Lais NUNES (BRA) at 62kg. Savita overpowering Nunes there. But in the next match on Mat B, ANJLI (IND) gives up her lead and Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) beats her 14-7 at 62kg.

10:50: Alirzaev beats Komarov! World champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) is on the mat to face Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) at 87kg. Alirzaev gets the first par terre advantage but fails to score any points. In the second period, Komarov gets the position but he also fails to score. Alirzaev then defends his 1-1 criteria lead to win.

10:30: The third day of the Ranking Series will see the Greco stars take the mat with 77kg and 87kg while Women's Wrestling continues in 59kg, 62kg, 65kg, and 68kg.