Greco-Roman Rankings: Fumita, Borrero, Kayaalp Secure Top Billing for Olympic Games

Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 12:15 By Eric Olanowski

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 2) – Reigning world champions Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), Ismael BORRERO (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) constructed insurmountable leads (greater than 18 points) over the rest of the field in their respective weight classes and assured themselves the top seed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In addition to Fumita, Borrero and Kayaalp, reigning world champs Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) and Musa EVLOEV (RUS) are also ranked first in one of the six Olympic weight categories.

Nur-Sultan silver medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) is the lone non-returning world champion who is ranked first at an Olympic weight. He won his sixth Ranking Series title and a silver medal at the European Championships and earned the top billing at 87kg.

In the four non-Olympic weight classes, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), Shinobu OTA (JPN), Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) and Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) sit in the No. 1 spot heading into the final Ranking Series event.

Fumita Locks up Top-Seed at 60kg
Kenichiro Fumita compiled a commanding 38-point lead over Sergey EMELIN (RUS) and locked up the top seed for the Olympic Games at 60kg.

Fumita, who is looking to become the first Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler to win Olympic gold since 1984, led Emelin by 20 points after he scored the 10-5 win over the Russian in 60kg world finals. The two-time world champion extended his lead to 38 points after he claimed the Asian title in New Delhi. He beat No.15 Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in New Delhi and assured himself the top seed for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.

“It’s an honor,” Fumita said of the top seed. “It’s a rare thing, as there has hardly been any Japanese No. 1 going into the Olympics. For me, with No. 1 seed comes responsibility, but I will work hard to be worthy of it.”

Emelin sat out of the European Championships in Rome, which allowed the Turkish youngster Kerem KAMAL (TUR) to move within 12 points of the second-ranking.

Kamal began the year ranked 15th after his 21st place at the World Championships. He finished in fifth at the Matteo Pellicone, then captured a silver medal at the European Championships and leaped 12 spots to No.3 in the latest rankings. He’s tied with Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) with 28 points but holds criteria over the Uzbek wrestler because Bakhramov competed up at 63kg at the World Championships.

The top-20 wrestlers at 60kg all have at least 14 Ranking Series points, which means an 18-point Ranking Series gold medal could potentially catapult them into the top-four of the rankings.

Top-Ten at 60kg
1. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) - 78
2. Sergey EMELIN (RUS) - 40
3. Kerem KAMAL (TUR) - 28
4. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) - 28
5. Ali Reza Ayat Ollah NEJATI (IRI) - 25
6. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) - 25
7. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) - 20
8. Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) - 20
9. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) - 20
10. Ivo Serafimov ANGELOV (BUL) - 18

Borrero Blows Open Top Seed Race at 67kg
Defending Olympic champion Ismael Borrero blew the top off the race to the top seed and will begin his quest to win back-to-back gold medals perched atop the 67kg bracket at the Olympic Games.

The two-time world champion came into the season with a 20-point lead over Artem SURKOV (RUS). He added 20 points to his previous total with his gold-medal performance at the Pan-American Championships.

Borrero has 80 points and owns the staggering 40-point lead over Surkov.

Surkov sat out of the European Championships and is in jeopardy of losing his second seed. He has a slight one and two-point advantage over Mate NEMES (SRB) and Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), respectively.

Nemes, a world bronze medalist, started the year ranked fourth. He rose to No.3 with a seventh-place finish at the European Championships, which was worth 14-points. Nemes is one point ahead of Egypt’s Nur-Sultan fifth-place finisher, El Sayed.

Although it was only one spot, El Sayed made the critical leap from fifth to fourth and is in prime position to earn a seed at the Olympic Games. But he's only 16 points ahead of the tenth-ranked wrestler, which means there are still at least six guys who can catch him.

Two of those guys who are looking to add their name to the seeding consideration are Hansu RYU (KOR) and Frank STAEBLER (GER). The pair who combine for five world titles are both coming off winning continental golds and have their sights on an Olympic seed.

Ryu, a ’17 and ’13 world champion, went 4-0 in New Delhi and captured his third Asian title. He’s ranked fifth and is only two points behind El Sayed.

Staebler, on the other hand, began the year ranked third, but has since dropped to No. 8. The three-time world champion bumped up to 72kg, where he cruised past Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) in the finals and grabbed his second European title.

After his finals match in Rome, Staebler announced that this was his last time he'd compete at the continental championships. "This was the last European Championships of my career. I am very happy to end the European cycle with a gold medal. The next stop is the Tokyo Olympic Games for an Olympic medal."

Top-Ten at 67kg
1. Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) - 80
2. Artem SURKOV (RUS) - 40
3. Mate NEMES (SRB) - 39
4. Mohamed Ibrahim Elsayed Ibrahi ELSAYED (EGY) 38
5. Hansu RYU (KOR) - 36
6. Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) - 34
7. Ashu ASHU (IND) - 26
8. Frank STAEBLER (GER) - 25
9. Morten THORESEN (NOR) - 22
10. Anthony Javier PALENCIA PUENTES (VEN) - 22

Pair of Hungarians Ranked Inside Top Four at 77kg
The Hungarian duo of Tamas Lorincz and Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) are both ranked inside the top four of the lastest rankings at 77kg.

But, reigning world champion Lorincz received the nod to represent his nation at the Olympic Games – which will ultimately remove fourth-ranked Levai from top-four seeding contention.

Pavel LIAKH (BLR), who is ranked fifth right now, will receive the one spot bump once Levai departs the rankings. Without Levai, Liakh has the potential to be the fourth-seeded wrestler at 77kg when Tokyo rolls around.

Top-ranked Lorincz commanded a 20-point lead over Sweden’s Alex KESSIDIS to start the season. But the Hungarian has been absent all season, which allowed his world finals opponent to move to within two points of stealing the No.1 ranking.

Kessidis, who became Sweden’s first GR world finalist since 2011 (Jimmy LIDBERG), fell to Levai in the opening round of the European Championships. He clawed his way back to a bronze-medal finish, which was worth 18 points. Kessidis moved to within two points of earning the top seed at the Olympic Games.

Third-ranked Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) scored wins over former world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB) and fifth-ranked Liakh at the European Championships. Although he fell to eventual champion Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Chalyan still finished with a bronze medal.

The top 11 athletes at the weight are still within striking distance of Liakh and have a shot at earning an Olympic seed with an 18-point gold-medal finish at the final Ranking Series event.

Top-Ten at 77kg
1. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) - 60
2. Alex Michel BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE) - 58
3. Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) - 38
4. Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) - 36
5. Pavel LIAKH (BLR) - 26
6. Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN) - 26
7. Mohammadali Abdolhamid GERAEI (IRI) - 25
8. JALGASBAY BERDIMURATOV (UZB) - 25
9. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) - 22
10. Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) - 20

Lorincz Moves Past Beleniuk for No. 1 Spot at 87kg
Viktor Lorincz entered the European Championships four points shy of overthrowing reigning world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) for the No.1 spot at 87kg. Despite losing to Ukrainian youngster Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) in the gold-medal match of the European Championships, Lorincz earned the 18-point silver medal and moved 14-points ahead of Beleniuk.

Lorincz, who has a perfect 23-0 record in Ranking Series events, only needs to finish top-five at the final Ranking Series event to assure himself the No. 1 seed that he's so desperately chasing. "I want to win the [European Championships and Poland Open] because it will help my seed for the Olympic Games," said Lorincz, the defending world silver medalist at 87kg. “I will also be in the lead for the Ranking Series again.”

Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), a world bronze medalist, is ranked third. He’s 23 points behind second-ranked Beleniuk after finishing in fifth place at the Asian Championships.

Kumar SUNIL (IND) rounds out the top four at 87kg. He started the year ranked 33rd in the world but leaped 29 spots after winning gold at the Asian Championships and silver at the Matteo Pellicone. He sits five points from overthrowing Assakalov for the No. 3 spot.

Top-Ten at 87kg
1. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) - 74
2. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) - 60
3. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) - 37
4. Kumar SUNIL (IND) - 32
5. Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) - 30
6. Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) - 28
7. Josef Patrick RAU (USA) - 28
8. Denis Maksymilian KUDLA (GER) - 25
9. Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) - 24
10. Mikalai STADUB (BLR) - 20

Evloev and Aleksanyan Tied Atop 97kg Rankings
Musa EVLOEV (RUS) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) are tied atop the rankings at 97kg heading into the final Ranking Series event. The two are only separated by the Russian’s criteria-breaking higher finish at the World Championships.

Evloev secured his second consecutive 97kg world title after Aleksanyan pulled out of the gold-medal match at the World Championships due to an injury. The Russian sat out of the Matteo Pellicone and European Championships, but still owns the No. 1 spot with his 60 points.

Aleksanyan has competed twice this year and won each tournament he's entered. He returned to the mat in early January, where he won gold at the Grand Prix de France HenriDeglane. He made his second appearance of the year at the European Championships, where he earned his fifth European title.

Aleksanyan forged a rock-solid 7-1 finals victory over tenth-ranked Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) and claimed his fifth career European championship title.

But Aleksanyan said he isn't worried too much about his rankings. "I am not interested in what number I am in the rankings. The most important is that I got the license for the Olympics. There will be 16 athletes, and I will be one of them wrestling for the Olympic gold."

The Rio Olympic champion had two goals coming into the year, and he checked one of those off with his European championship gold-medal performance. "My first goal was to become a five-time European champion. The Olympics are ahead and I want to become a two-time Olympic champion in Tokyo."

Turkey’s Rio Olympic bronze medalist Cenk ILDEM is ranked third at the weight. He finished in third place at the World and European Championships and 19 points behind Evloev and Aleksanyan.

Asian champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) is ranked fourth at 97kg. The Iranian is five points behind Ildem but has less than an 18-point over the next nine wrestlers.

Top-Ten at 97kg
1. Musa EVLOEV (RUS) - 60
2. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) - 60
3. Cenk ILDEM (TUR) - 41
4. Mohammadhadi Abdollah SARAVI (IRI) - 36
5. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) - 36
6. Tadeusz MICHALIK (POL) - 32
7. Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA) -32
8. Artur OMAROV (CZE) - 30
9. Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) - 30
10. Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA) - 26

Kayaalp Seals No. 1 Seed at 130kg
Despite failing in his quest to win a tenth European title, Turkey’s Riza Kayaalp amassed a 22-point lead over second-ranked Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) and sealed up the No. 1 seed at 130kg at the Olympic Games.

Kayaalp downed Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) in the 130kg finals at the World Championships and won his fourth world title belt. Thanks to his winning efforts in Nur-Sultan, the Turkish big man started the year with 60 points. He tacked on 12 points after a disappointing seventh-place finish at the European Championships. But, through it all, Kayaalp somehow constructed a 22-point lead over second-ranked Mohamed and now has the luxury of sitting out of the final Ranking Series event and still keeping his top seed.

Egypt’s Mohamed made arguably the most significant leap in the rankings since the year started. He went from unranked to No. 2 heading into the final Ranking Series event after winning the Matteo Pellicone and the African Championships. Mohamed is ten points ahead of Pino Hinds, but with the reemergence of the Cuban giant Mijian LOPEZ (CUB), Pino Hinds will be removed from the rankings as Lopez attempts to win an unprecedented fourth Greco-Roman Olympic gold medal.

Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN) and Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) will each receive bumps from Pino Hinds’ absence and will be ranked third and fourth, respectively.

Perez Hellburg jumped from 18th to fourth with top-three finishes at the Matteo Pellicone and Pan-American Championships. The Venezuelan fell to second-ranked Mohamed in the finals of the first Ranking Series event, then went 2-1 at the continental championships and finished with a bronze medal.

Abdullaev will ultimately move into the No. 5 slot once Pino Hinds is removed from the rankings. The Uzbek wrestler started the year ranked fourth and slipped one spot after a bronze-medal finish at the Matteo Pellicone.

Every wrestler in the top-20 is still within distance of catching Abdullaev for the No. 4 spot.

Top-Ten at 130kg
1. Riza KAYAALP (TUR) - 72
2. Abdellatif mohamed ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) - 50
3. Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) - 40
4. Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN) - 28
5. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) - 26
6. Adam Jacob COON (USA) - 26
7. Heiki NABI (EST) - 25
8. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) - 25
9. Eduard POPP (GER) - 20
10. Amir Mohammadali GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) - 20

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold

Sunday, March 1, 2026 - 08:36 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) claimed gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana at 60kg after a 1-1 victory over compatriot Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) in the final.

Mammadli had to defend two passivity calls against him in the second period. The 2024 world champion did not give any points when he was put in par terre during those calls.

He held the criteria in the match, thanks to the new Greco-Roman rule in which if the bout 1-1 due to the passivity calls, the wrestler who gets the first point will be the winner.

At 97kg, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) claimed the gold medal after world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) defaulted via injury. But before the final, Sargsian had to go through Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and then Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI) in the semifinals.

Against Dzhuzupbekov, Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted the Kyrgyzstan wrestler and slammed back first for four points. He got the par terre in the second period and turned Dzhuzupbekov close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

He then forged a 3-2 win over Moradiyan in semis, He 1-1 on criteria before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points by Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late.

Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) sets up a throw on Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion at 55kg Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) battled it out against Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) and come out on top, 3-1, in the final.

In a very close bout, Mammadov, a U23 world and senior European silver medalist in 2024, got the first par terre a position but failed to score any points.

When Sefershaev got the position in the second period, he lifted Mammadov towards the edge before a half-hearted throw. It was scored one point for stepout for Sefershaev and Azerbaijan promptly challenged that call as Mammadov fell on top of Sefershaev.

But on review, it was clear that Mammadov's more than half body went outside the zone and he landed his hands outside first which was the basis of the one point for stepout. The lost challenge made Sefershaev's score 3-1.

He will now be defending his European title in the same arena in Tirana, Albania come April.

In the 130kg weight class, Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) emerged as the gold medal winner after he defeated Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0, in the final.

He scored a turn from par terre in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break, Maeenpaeae, hoping to get the par terre call in the second period, began the second period with some furious attacks but lost his balance.

Kamparov capitalized on it and scored a takedown on the edge for a 5-0 lead, which turned out to be the winning score of the final.

Javad REZAEI (IRI) hits a four-point throw on Hojat REZAEI (IRI) during the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran Wins 2 Golds

Iran won two gold medals to open its account in Tirana.

At 72kg, in an-all Iranian final, 2021 U23 world champion Javad REZAEI (IRI) got the better of Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3, in the final.

Hojat was put in par terre in the first period and Mohammad scored two suplex throws of four points each to finish the final 9-0. However, Hojat challenged the call and the second throw was only scored two points after the review, changing the score to 7-0.

In the second period, Hojat was put awarded the passivity call and he got on board with a point. As he was trying to work a move, Mohammad committed a defensive foul which added two more points to Hojat's score.

However, Hojat did not score any action points during the bout and Mohammad was happy to defend his lead and win the gold medal.

The second gold medal for Iran was won by debutant Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who defeated world fifth-placer Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2, in the 82kg final.

Tiuliubaev failed to score any points from par terre in the first period but held criteria 1-1 lead when Hosseini got the par terre in the second period.

However, Tiuliubaev committed a defensive leg foul during Hosseini's left and was docked two points which gave Hosseini a 3-1 lead. Tiuliubaev challenged the foul call but it was confirmed and he lost another point. Though Hosseini did not score any points from position he held a comfortable 4-1 lead.

With 17 seconds left, Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2 but he then committed a headbutt, perhaps out of frustration of losing, which gave Hosseini two more points and swelled the Iranian's score to 6-2.

The weight class also had world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). But both went medalless after losing in the quarterfinals to Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) and Kamal BEY (USA), respectively.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: LALIT (IND) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) df. Vishvajit MORE (IND), 12-12

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM), 7-1
BRONZE: Suner KONUNOV (UWW) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) df. Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), 7-4
BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ), via fall

82kg
GOLD: Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2

BRONZE: Iraklii KALANDIIA (UWW) df. Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), via fall (11-1)
BRONZE: Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Kamal BEY (USA), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI), 4-2

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) df. Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0

BRONZE: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), via fall (7-0)

Morning Session Highlights

15:50: 130kg semifinals - Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) will take on Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) in the 130kg final after he defeated Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1. Maeenpaeae scored a quick 8-0 victory over Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

15:40 - 97kg semifinals - World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) moves into the final with a 3-2 victory over the very impressive Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI). Sargsian held only a 1-1 criteria lead before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points from Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late. Sargsian will face world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) in the final after he scored a electric 7-1 win over Giorgi MELIA (GEO).

15:25: 82kg semifinals - Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) beats Kamal BEY (USA), 7-0, at 82kg after scoring a four-pointer in the first period and then a takedown in the second. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold medal after he held off Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), 4-1, with all points being non-action points. Tiuliubaev led 2-1 when he scored a stepout from par terre in the second period. Vazirzade challenged the call and asked for two points for himself but lost it. Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to extend his lead to 4-1. A failed attempt from Vazirzade sees him being slammed on the mat as Tiuliubaev wins 6-1

15:10: 72kg semifinals - An all-Iran final at 72kg after Javad REZAEI (IRI) wins his semifinals, 5-1, against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). Rezaei scored two turns from par terre in the par terre and then did well to defend in the second. Beishekeev tried to do a flying squirrel but did not score any points. In the other semifinal, Hojat REZAEI (IRI) managed a controlled 7-3 victory over Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) to enter the final.

14:55: 60kg semifinals - Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) books a place in the final after a thumping 8-0 victory over Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) at 60kg. He opened the scoring with a stepout before getting the par terre position to lead 2-0. Three gut-wrenches get the job done for him. He will face compatriot Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) in the final after the European champion defeated Suner KONUNOV (UWW). Mammadli scored a stepout to lead 1-1 at the break, then got a takedown to start the second and extend the lead to 3-1. He defended the lead to win

14:40: 55kg semifinals - Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) enters the final after a dominant 10-1 victory over Vishvajit MORE (IND). He used two throws, a takedown and turn to score his points. He will face Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) for the gold medal after he held off LALIT (IND), 6-5, in the other semifinal. Mammadov led 3-2 when Lalit got the par terre in the second period to lead 3-3 on criteria. He managed to score two points for exposure but Mammadov got a reversal and completed a correct throw to lead 6-5, the winning score

14:20: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) must be gutted after that loss to Beka KANDELAKI (AZE). The U20 world champion scored a takedown and got a point for Kandelaki's passivity in the first period to lead 3-0. Kandelaki got the par terre in the second and after a long time on top, managed to turn Iliasov and lead 3-3 on criteria. With ample time left, Iliasov waited for his options before he managed to get behind Kandelaki and was about to lock his hands when the Azerbaijan wrestler flung him away from his back and was given two points. Iliasov challenged it and the 2 points were changed to 4 points which results in a 7-3 lead for Kandelaki. He won the quarterfinals at 130kg with the same score

14:00: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) with a technical superiority win over Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted Dzhuzupbekov and slammed him back first for four points and a 6-0 lead. He gets the par terre in the second period and turn close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

13:50: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) blanks Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 6-0, at 60kg. He scored two turns from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0 and then again got a stepout early in the second period to win 6-0

13:45: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) with an 1-1 victory over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg. Maskevich got the criteria since he received par terre advantage in the first period against Szoke, who won the Zagreb Open three weeks ago.

13:35: Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) stuns Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 82kg. While Makhmudov did not give up any points when he was put in par terre in the first period, Vazirzade scored four points via a body throw in the second to lead 5-0. That also made him avoid being called passive in the second period. Makhmudov with a late takedown but Vazirzade wins 5-2

13:20: Kamal BEY (USA) with an upset win over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 82kg. Zhadrayev was leading 3-1 but Bey with a drag and takedown to lead 3-3 on criteria with 20 seconds left to win and advance to the next round.

13:00: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) scores three turns from par terre and then holds off Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) to win their 130kg 7-3. With Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) pulling out due to health issues, Kandelaki is the favorite to win the gold here.

12:50: U20 world champion Ali ILIASOV (UWW) downs Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1, at 130kg with a two-point turn from par terre to win his first bout in Tirana. Can he go all the way here?

12:35: Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) gets a four-pointer to start his bout at 97kg against Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) and then scores two turns from par terre to complete a 9-0 victory.

12:20: World bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) completes a very cool and composed victory at 97kg over Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ). Maskevich defended when he was put in par terre in the first and then used a suplex in the second period to win 5-1

12:14: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) used a side suplex and gut-wrench exposure to score his 8-0 win over Michial FOY (USA) at 97kg. He takes only one minute and 50 seconds to advance to the next round.

12:12: World bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) falls to Giorgi MELIA (GEO) at 97kg. Ahmadiyev had scored a point using a reversal to lead 2-1 but gave up a stepout with 22 seconds left which gave Melia the lead and the victory.

12:10: U20 world bronze medalist and one of the rare Greco talent from India SURAJ (IND) starts with a 3-1 victory over Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) at 60kg. He got a turn in the first period from par terre while Khadhidze did not when he got par terre in the second period.

12:00: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) feels the heat at 60kg as Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) beats him 8-7. Kamaliyev got the par terre in the first period and he scored three turns using front chest-wrap. Lolua managed to block him once during the sequence and was awarded two points but the Kazakhstan wrestler lead 7-2 at the break.

Lolua got his chance in the second period and scored a turn. He scored the second as well but Kamaliyev never came in neutral position. Lolua challenges, asking for points for the second turn but he loses the challenge which gives Kamaliyev a 8-5 lead. Lolua did manage a takedown with 8 seconds left but still could not over turn the result. Georgia would think about that challenge considering it was evident Lolua did not get the second turn completely.

11:40: European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) begins with an 8-0 technical superiority over Maxwell BLACK (USA) at 60kg. He will in all likelihood get 55kg world champion Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), who is moving up, next.

11:30: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) finds a way to beat Dmitrii DZHIOEV (UWW) at 82kg. Dzhioev led 1-1, holding criteria when he was given the third par terre, which is without points, but fails to score and it is Zhadrayev, the Olympic silver medalist at 77kg, who scores and wins.

11:20: Former world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), up at 82kg, begins with a close win over Dias KALEN (KAZ). Makhmudov was cautioned when he committed a defensive leg four on Kalen in par terre, giving Kalen a 3-0 lead. Makhmudov then scored a stepout to get one points. When he was given the par terre in the second period, he turned Kalen to make it 4-3 and defended that score to win.

11:10: Almost two years after his last competition, Viktor NEMES (SRB) was just 20 seconds away from making a winning start. But, Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) comes out with a suplex for four points to beat the Serbian 5-2 at 82kg.

10:50: In the first top match of the day, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) takes out Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE) at 97kg. Sargsian led only 3-2 at the break but he launched a big four-pointer at the start of the second period and led 7-2, all but making it out of reach for Ahmadiyev.

10:30: A big day ahead in Tirana with six Greco weight classes in action -- 55kg, 60kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

Greco-Roman Rankings: Fumita, Borrero, Kayaalp Secure Top Billing for Olympic Games

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold