#Grappling

Hansen breaks new ground with Grappling gold

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 - 14:49 By Vinay Siwach

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PONTEVEDRA, Spain (October 18) -- Over the years, John HANSEN (USA) has been to United World Wrestling's Grappling World Championships with an aim to win the gold. But until 2022, he failed to achieve that.

But in Pontevedra, Spain, Hansen became the Grappling world champion in 130kg with a dominant run at the World Championships. Out of his four wins, two were by submission and the others were a testimony of how dominant Hansen is in Grappling.

Like Ivan SNIHUR (UKR) realized in the final when Hansen scored two points by bringing him down before adding three points for his control. Even as Snihur tried to escape out of the control, Hansen kept the offense going, adding two four-point movements before ultimately winning by submission with 1:42 remaining on the clock.

In the semifinal against Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE), he allowed his opponent to be on top before reversing the position and taking control for a 5-2 lead. He won that bout 5-3.

Overall, Hansen expressed his satisfaction by not just winning the tournament but also how his team was able to win the team title.

"I am very satisfied," Hansen said. "The USA won the Grappling team title for the first time and I am very proud of that. Such an incredible experience to be part of like the gold-winning team. I wanted to win the gold but ran into a good opponent in 2019 and could not get it done last year either. This is a huge accomplishment. I have wanted this for a long time."

Out of the six finals, the USA reached finals with Richard ALARCON (USA) and Kevin CRANE (USA) joining Hansen as the world champion while Brady WICKLUND (USA) and Paul ARDILA (USA) finished with silver medals.

"The group has been coming together over the last couple of years," Hansen said. "We have been recruiting collegiate wrestlers and a lot of guys in their 20s."

The major reason Hansen believes in the success of the USA at the UWW World Championships is the advantage it gives to wrestlers and the various countries it brings together.

"The UWW rule set prioritizes wrestling as it should be," he said. "Like if I pull guard, I should be penalized two. That's great for wrestling and records it fairly. I don't think wrestlers should be allowed to sit down. That's why I love UWW. There are more countries [at these World Championships]. How many other events draw that much talent from other countries? It's really cool. To let our guys know in the USA, this is the real World Championships."

Hansen has been one of the biggest names in Grappling and even at the age of 40 years, he participates around the world. With more understanding of the sport than he first began at the UWW tournaments, Hansen said it is one of the biggest competitions out there.

"If you take a UWW grappler with a high-pace rule set, he will wrestle 10 minutes easily. Other grapplers coming to UWW will be called for stalling. UWW grappler will go challenging anywhere."

While Pontevedra saw grapplers from Japan, India and Angola apart from the dominant grappling countries, Hansen hopes the variety continues at future tournaments, an important step to growing the sport.

"Australia is there [to grow]," he said. "Their style is very action-oriented and very aggressive which is perfect for UWW. When I saw it first, I was like why is someone called passive when you are mounted?

"But Australia and Japan are the teams. The grapplers from eastern Europe are also top. They are good on top, good at the bottom, and good in wrestling. UWW rule set is what people in eastern Europe play and that sets them apart. If they come to other rule sets competition, they will not take much time to adapt. Another country is Canada. They won't take to come up. Argentina will be out as well."

Though he has not his calendar set for next year, Hansen believes that the World Championships will always be on his schedule.

"As long as I can keep my spot in the USA, I will be at every UWW Worlds until somebody takes it from me," he said. "There is a legit commodity with 30 countries showing up. This is a completely different experience."

RESULTS

Grappling

62kg
GOLD: Amit BURSHTEIN (ISR) df. Mayis NERSESYAN (ARM), 7-4

BRONZE: Shervani ABDULAYEV (KAZ) df. Eric MEDINA (USA), 2-2
BRONZE: Arulan KURMANALIYEV (KAZ) df. Daniele CALDARERA (ITA), 6-3

66kg
GOLD: Richard ALARCON (USA) df. Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR), 1-1

BRONZE: Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) df. Bekzat KAPASHOV (KAZ), 7-1
BRONZE: Wojciech PAJAK (POL) df. Sergio CALDERON (ESP), via submission

71kg
GOLD: Nurbek TALBUDIN (KAZ) df. Nico PULVERMUELLER (GER), 4-1

BRONZE: Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA) df. Nadav BAR GIL (ISR), 7-2
BRONZE: Magomed DJABRAILOV (FRA) df. Sarsen ZHETIBAYEV (KAZ), via submission (1-5)

77kg
GOLD: Fernando MEDINA (ESP) df. Brady WICKLUND (USA), 9-0

BRONZE: Nadir IMAMALIYEV (AZE) df. Pierre MANZO (FRA), 2-2
BRONZE: Djabrail DJABRAILOV (FRA) df. Nahman BITON (ISR), 13-1

84kg
GOLD: Kevin CRANE (USA) df. Muhammet BAYRAKTAR (FRA), 8-0

BRONZE: Matteo VERMIGLIO (ITA) df. Artur ZAKARYAN (ARM), via submission (0-2)
BRONZE: Mateusz MAZUR (POL) df. Zaireden MUKHAMBETZHANOV (KAZ), via submission (0-2)

92kg
GOLD: Roman KIZIUK (UKR) df. Paul ARDILA (USA), 2-1

BRONZE: Manuel PILATO (ITA) df. Pedro GARCIA (ESP), 3-2
BRONZE: Pawel NEDZI (POL) df. Mykhailo MUZYCHENKO (UKR), 6-2

100kg
GOLD: Andrzej IWAT (POL) df. Aleksandre TEVZADZE (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: Ivan MALIN (UKR) df. Dominik OLSZEWSKI (POL), 2-1
BRONZE: Eduardo RIEGO (ESP) df. Eliot KELLY (USA), 3-2

130kg
GOLD: John HANSEN (USA) df. Ivan SNIHUR (UKR), via submission (13-0)

BRONZE: Tobin CAHILL (USA) df. MARCOS GONZALEZ (ESP), via submission (11-2)
BRONZE: Alexandr ROMANOV (MDA) df. Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE), 12-2

U20 men's results

58kg
GOLD: Karshyga ABDRAKHIM (KAZ) df. Zhyldyzbek ABYLBEKOV (KGZ), 3-2

BRONZE: Alejandro REYES (ESP) df. Alikhan ALSHINBAY (KAZ), via submission (6-0)

62kg
GOLD: Vadym SKRYNYTSIA (UKR) df. Chingis IDRISSOV (KAZ), via submission (0-2)

BRONZE: Ori WEISMAN (ISR) df. Guillermo GUTIERREZ (ESP), via overtime (2-2)

66kg
GOLD: Zhanuzak AITBAYEV (KAZ) df. Ali BEKISH (KAZ), 3-3

BRONZE: Nursultan KUSHTARBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Avelino SANTOS (ESP), via submission (6-6)
BRONZE: Ethan FORREZ (FRA) df. Giovanni SUAREZ (ESP), via submission, (2-0)

71kg
GOLD: Aldiyar SERIK (KAZ) df. Aron HERNANDEZ MONTERO (ESP), via submission (2-0)

BRONZE: Vincenzo BUSSOLOTTI (ESP) df. Syimyk SADYRBEK UULU (KGZ), via submission (2-0)
BRONZE: Milan NIKOLENKO (UKR) df. Noam KOREN (ISR), 5-2 

77kg
Round 5: Miguel NAVARRO (ESP) df. Yizhaq AMAR (ISR), via submission
Round 5: Amirzhan SIKHIMBAYEV (KAZ) df. Ramon PLACER (ESP), via default

GOLD: Miguel NAVARRO (ESP)
SILVER: Yizhaq AMAR (ISR)
BRONZE: Amirzhan SIKHIMBAYEV (KAZ)

84kg
GOLD: Levente LAKY (HUN) df. Alikhan KHABIBULLA (KAZ), 4-1

BRONZE: Hugo DESCHEEMAKER (FRA) df. Kutkeldi ZHOROKUL UULU (KGZ), via forfeit
BRONZE: Yarin DABOOL (ISR) df. Saul CHAYA (ESP), 7-2

92kg (3 entries)
GOLD: Jhonatan ORELLANA ALIAGA (ESP) df. Yerlan MUKHIT (KAZ), via submission

130kg (3 entries)
GOLD: Ramazan ABDRAKHIMOV (KAZ) df. Ismael CASTILLO JIMENEZ (ESP) 

U17 men's results

50kg
GOLD: Heorhii HUDZ (UKR) df. Ibraim ISKANDAROV (KGZ), 7-1

BRONZE: Emanuel SEGADO (ESP) df. Alex PINTER (HUN), via forfeit

54kg
Round 5: Ismail KUNAYEV (KAZ) df. Nurbol ZHYRGALBEKOV (KGZ), 7-6
Round 5: Guy BURSHTEIN (ISR) df. Rakhymzhan TURGANBEK (KAZ), 4-3

GOLD: Ismail KUNAYEV (KAZ)
SILVER: Nurbol ZHYRGALBEKOV (KGZ)
BRONZE: Guy BURSHTEIN (ISR)

58kg
GOLD: Bekzat KAZTAYEV (KAZ) df. Illia SVIATUN (UKR), 15-9

BRONZE: Tigran GHAZAKHYAN (ARM) df. Daniel GONZALEZ FERRER (ESP), via submission (0-2)

63kg
GOLD: Wassim CHAINE (FRA) df. Sergey ZELENKEVICH (KAZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Nurassyl TURUSPEKOV (KAZ) df. Ilay PELTZ (ISR), 2-1

69kg
GOLD: Ethan FORREZ (FRA) df. Danil VAKHTINOV (KAZ), 8-4

BRONZE: Nahapet EKIZYAN (ARM) df. Emilijus KAGANOVICIUS (LTU), via submission (0-2)
BRONZE: Gafur UZHAKHOV (KAZ) df. Amit AVIV (ISR), via submission (0-2)

76kg
GOLD: Sungat SANSYZBAYEV (KAZ) df. Tamir BARHAM (ISR), 6-4

BRONZE: Kalys SOODALIEV (KGZ) df. Jorge FERNANDEZ (ESP), 12-0

85kg
GOLD: Stefan LOBODA (ROU)
SILVER: Dorian FARKAS (HUN)
BRONZE: Karim ADEM (FRA) 

Key bout: Stefan LOBODA (ROU) df. Dorian FARKAS (HUN), 11-3 (Round 3)

110kg
GOLD: Dinmukhamed KUANGALIYEV (KAZ)
SILVER: Ibrahim MANARBEK (KAZ)
BRONZE: Antonio HERRERA (ESP)

Key bout: Dinmukhamed KUANGALIYEV (KAZ) df. Ibrahim MANARBEK (KAZ), via submission (5-0 in Round 2)

Grappling Gi

62kg
GOLD: Daiki YONEKURA (JPN) df. Dmytro BARANOV (UKR), via submission (0-2)

BRONZE: Mayis NERSESYAN (ARM) df. Ander SANCHEZ (ESP), 13-0
BRONZE: Raimbek TAZHIBAEV (KGZ) df. Daulet ZHUMADULLAYEV (KAZ), 6-5

66kg
GOLD: Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) df. Yurii CHERKALIUK (UKR), 5-1

BRONZE: Wojciech PAJAK (POL) df. Sergio CALDERON (ESP), via walkover
BRONZE: Mykyta DUSHKO (UKR) df. Galymzhan OMAR (KAZ), 7-0

71kg
GOLD: Haniel SCHUCMAN (ISR) df. Sarsen ZHETIBAYEV (KAZ), 9-1

BRONZE: Magomed DJABRAILOV (FRA) df. Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA), 2-2
BRONZE: Ivan RASIUK (UKR) df. Zoltan TOTH (HUN), 2-1

77kg
GOLD: Fernando MEDINA (ESP) df. Djabrail DJABRAILOV (FRA), 2-1

BRONZE: Dumitru CEBAN (MDA) df. Nahman BITON (ISR), 7-2
BRONZE: Adlan MADAYEV (KAZ) df. Jakub NAJDEK (POL), 2-2

84kg
GOLD: Arturo SALAS (ESP) df. Inelton BOMBO (ANG), 4-2

BRONZE: Alberto GONZALEZ (ESP) df. Mateusz MAZUR (POL), 6-4
BRONZE: Aurel PIRTEA (ROU) df. Samy MEZACHE (FRA), 11-2

92kg
GOLD: Roman KIZIUK (UKR) df. Ravshan URAZOV (KAZ), 8-8

BRONZE: Pablo ESTEPA (ESP) df. Martin BARTHEL (GER), via submission (5-2)
BRONZE: Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA) df. Vasile CUBLESAN (ROU), via submission (0-3)

100kg
GOLD: Ivan MALIN (UKR) df. Bakdaulet ABYZOV (KAZ), 2-2

BRONZE: Serhii HAVRYSH (UKR) df. Wendy KOHILI (FRA), 9-6
BRONZE: Martin NUSSMANN (GER) df. Ilias BOUKIS (GRE), 6-1

130kg
GOLD: Alexandr ROMANOV (MDA) df. Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE), via submission (9-0)

BRONZE: Guglielmo CECCA (ITA) df. Juan HEREDIA (ESP), 4-2
BRONZE: Talgat ZHIYENTAYEV (KAZ) df. Ivan SNIHUR (UKR), via submission (6-0)

U20 men's results

58kg
GOLD: Karshyga ABDRAKHIM (KAZ) df. Zhyldyzbek ABYLBEKOV (KGZ), 3-2

BRONZE: Alejandro REYES (ESP) df. Alikhan ALSHINBAY (KAZ), via submission (6-1)

62kg
GOLD: Kostiantyn MIZUN (UKR) df. Vadym SKRYNYTSIA (UKR), 3-1

BRONZE: Ori WEISMAN (ISR) df. Acoidan ARBELO (ESP), via submission (2-2) 

66kg
GOLD: Giovanni SUAREZ (ESP) df. Alikhan AKHMETZHANOV (KAZ), 7-3

BRONZE: Ethan FORREZ (FRA) df. Nursultan KUSHTARBEK UULU (KGZ), via submission (2-0)
BRONZE: Ali BEKISH (KAZ) df. Volodymyr DYMED (UKR), overtime (2-2)

71kg
GOLD: Aldiyar SERIK (KAZ) df. Vincenzo BUSSOLOTTI (ESP), via submission (7-2)

BRONZE: Mani GRIMAUDO (FRA) df. Syimyk SADYRBEK UULU (KGZ), via submission (6-0)
BRONZE: Aron HERNANDEZ (ESP) df. Artem KHVAN (KAZ), 14-4

77kg
GOLD: Yizhaq AMAR (ISR)
SILVER: Amirzhan SIKHIMBAYEV (KAZ) 
BRONZE: Bilal SAFI (FRA)

Key bout: Yizhaq AMAR (ISR) df. Amirzhan SIKHIMBAYEV (KAZ), 3-2 (Round 2)

84kg
GOLD: Alikhan KHABIBULLA (KAZ) df. Kutkeldi ZHOROKUL UULU (KGZ), via submission (9-2)

BRONZE: Yarin DABOOL (ISR) df. Akmaldin KUSHANLO (KGZ), via submission (2-4)
BRONZE: Saul CHAYA LOPEZ (ESP) df. Hugo DESCHEEMAKER (FRA), via submission

92kg (3 entries)
Round 1: Nurdaulet KARBOZOV (KAZ) df. Pablo TORRES JIMENEZ (ESP), 6-1

130kg
GOLD: Arystan AITMOLDIN (KAZ)
SIVER: Ramazan ABDRAKHIMOV (KAZ), 6-1
BRONZE: Ismael CASTILLO JIMENEZ (ESP)

Key bout:  Arystan AITMOLDIN (KAZ) df. Ramazan ABDRAKHIMOV (KAZ), 6-1 (Round 3)

U17 men's results

42kg (2 entries)
GOLD: Azamat MENGAIR (KAZ) df. Yersultan KAIYRZHAN (KAZ), 8-0

50kg
GOLD: Imran MAGZUM (KAZ)
SILVER: Leo CLIMENT (ESP)
BRONZE: Ibraim ISKANDAROV (KGZ)

Key bout: Imran MAGZUM (KAZ) df. Leo CLIMENT WODEY (ESP), 6-2 (Round 2)

54kg
GOLD: Heorhii HUDZ (UKR)
SILVER: Guy BURSHTEIN (ISR)
BRONZE: Rakhymzhan TURGANBEK (KAZ)

Key bout: Heorhii HUDZ (UKR) df. Guy BURSHTEIN (ISR), 4-4 (Round 2)

58kg
GOLD: Bekzat KAZTAYEV (KAZ) df. Nurbol ZHYRGALBEKOV (KGZ), via submission (2-2)

BRONZE: Akdoolot ABYLBEKOV (KGZ) df. Daniel GONZALEZ (ESP), 12-3

63kg
GOLD: Sergey ZELENKEVICH (KAZ) df. Matei BRIE (ROU), via submission (10-1)

BRONZE: Wassim CHAINE (FRA) df. Nurassyl TURUSPEKOV (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Tytus MACINSKI (POL) df. Eduard ROSIQUE (ESP), via submission (10-0)

69kg
GOLD: Gafur UZHAKHOV (KAZ) df. Ethan FORREZ (FRA), via submission (0-2) 

BRONZE: Ron FRIEDMAN (ISR) df. Alvaro GOMEZ (ESP), 14-8
BRONZE: Emilijus KAGANOVICIUS (LTU) df. Amit AVIV (ISR), via forfeit

76kg
GOLD: Sungat SANSYZBAYEV (KAZ) df. Tamir BARHAM (ISR), 5-4

BRONZE: Kalys SOODALIEV (KGZ) df. Islam SAGDANBEKOV (KGZ), 11-10

85kg
GOLD: Karim ADEM (FRA)
SILVER: Dorian FARKAS (HUN)
BRONZE: Stefan LOBODA (ROU)

Key bout: Karim ADEM (FRA) df. Dorian FARKAS (HUN), 4-2 (Round 3)

110kg
GOLD: Ibrahim MANARBEK (KAZ)
SILVER: Juan GOMEZ (ESP)
BRONZE: Dinmukhamed KUANGALIYEV (KAZ)

Key bout: Ibrahim MANARBEK (KAZ) df. Juan GOMEZ (ESP), 9-2 (Round 2)

#WrestleSamokov

Onishi, Blaze reach final at U20 World Championships

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan and India emerged as the two countries with two finalists each in Women's Wrestling at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) will look to become a two-time world U20 champion after she reached the 59kg final and 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) made it to the 68kg final.

India had two wrestlers in action and both made the final. TAPSYA (IND) shocked returning champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 57kg while returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND) made it to the final after beating Laura KOEHLER (GER).

Onishi, a senior Asian champion, completed his third technical superiority of the day as she defeated Aubre KRAZER (USA), 10-0, in the semifinals. Onishi used a leg lace to lead 8-0 before an exposure finished the bout 10-0.

For the gold medal, she will face Karin SAMUELSSON (SWE) who earned the chance at the expense of European U20 and U23 champion Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who was handed her first defeat of the year.

Samuelsson needed a challenge and some extra-ordinary defense in the final 10 seconds to win the bout 8-7 against Hurbanova. The match hung in balance when Samuelson had a 6-5 lead but Hurbanov managed to hit a leg-attack score a takedown. As Samuelson tried to attack, Hurbanova pulled the Sweden wrestler's hair and was cautioned after a challenge, giving a 7-7 criteria lead to Samuelson.

Hurbanova bodylocked Samuelson in the final seven seconds and tried to drive her out but Samuelson stood taller on her toes to overpower that attempt and win. Azerbaijan challenged but it was for no gain.

Another Nordic country made history as Norway got a finalist in Women's Wrestling. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) rallied to beat Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 12-2, and became the first Norway wrestler to enter the World U20 Championships final in Women's Wrestling in 15 years.

She will now try to become the first world U20 champion from Norway in 37 years on Wednesday when she faces Tapsya in the final after the Indian defeated Uchida in the semifinal 4-3 with a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Uchida had a 3-2 lead with a takedown in the second period but struggled with injury in her ankle and needed medical timeout with 15 seconds left in the match. Tapysa waited for the final five seconds before she went for the far and cradled Uchida for two points as time finished and she won 4-3.

At 68kg, Hoshino was in trouble in her semifinal, falling behind 5-0 at the break against Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) but she scored a quick takedown to cut it to 5-2. Another takedown later, she used the arm-bar to pin Erdenebat and win the semifinal.

Srishti scored a huge four-pointer in her semifinal against Kuehler and three setpout to complete a 7-3 win and set up a clash with Hoshino.

U.S. gets 2 more finalists

The United States had two more finalists in Freestyle as returning bronze medalist Marcus BLAZE (USA) and Maxwell MCENELLY (USA) won their respective semifinals at 61kg and 86kg respectively.

In the 61kg semifinals, Blaze rolled to a 15-4 technical superiority against Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (UWW). The match began with Magamedkhanov chestwrap for two but Blaze planted him for two as well to take criteria lead.

The bout then turned one-sided as Blaze scored a takedown and Magamedkhanov was cautioned for locking hands with Blaze. The bout began in par terre with Blaze leading 5-2. Blaze scored four points by turning Magamedkhanov twice before a lost challenge added one more point to his score for a 10-2 lead at the break.

Blaze got another takedown when Magamedkhanov missed a shot and then a turn finished the bout 15-4.

The 2023 world U17 champion Blaze will now take on another former world U17 champion in Ahora KHATERI (IRI) who wrestled an almost perfect semifinal against Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), winning 3-1.

Saitiev opened the scoring when he was given a point for Khateri's passivity. But the Iranian scored a takedown and then was given a point for Saitiev's passivity in the second period.

At 86kg, Mcenelly needed a late takedown to overcome senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and earn himself a chance to win gold medal. Rahmani was slow to pick up pace in the match and Mcenelly built a 3-1 lead.

But Rahmani did show more speed in the second period and he scored a takedown using a beautiful duck under to lead 3-3 on criteria. A stepout made it 4-3 for Rahmani.

With 30-seconds left on the clock, Rahmani planted one foot in the center with no position and Mcenelly pounced on him in a split second scoring a takedown after some effort and led 5-4.
Rahmani got a point for Mcenelly's fleeing but kept the criteria for a 5-5 win. He will now try to beat Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (UWW) who defeated Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 5-1, to enter the final.

The morning session updates follow

14:00: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) with a 12-2 win over Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) at 68kg and then defending 59kg champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Yifan ZHU (CHN) to enter the semifinal at 59kg.

13:54: No problems for Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) as she sees off ALIMOVA (LTU) 10-0 and reaches the semifinal at 57kg against TAPSYA (IND). In the other semifinal, European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will take on Anna STRATAN (KAZ), a former world U17 bronze medalist 

13:45: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) with a fall over Mohammad UMKHADJIEV (FRA) at 86kg and moves into the semifinal. He is looking to upgrade his bronze medal from 2024.

13:40: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) gave up four stepouts and was cautioned once as Allan ORALBEK (KAZ) led 5-0. One stepout for Khateri before the break to make it 5-1. The second period is better for Khateri who begins with a takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. A point for passivity from Oralbek make it 5-4. Khateri with a leg attack and drives Oralbek out with takedown and scores two points to lead 6-5 and win the bout.

13:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is on a different level than the field at 61kg in Samokov. He gets his positions, waits for other wrestlers move and then launches his own. That's what Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) got in the 61kg quarterfinals. Blaze got the point for passivity first and then an ankle pick and turn made it 5-0. In the second period, Blaze waited for almost two minutes but got a cradle and then a turn to make it 9-0. A reversal point for Toktomatov but Blaze finishes with a takedown and wins 11-1.

13:22: Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), European U20 champion and unbeaten this year, gets an easy 6-0 win over Rahma BEDIWY (EGY) and moves into the quarterfinals at 59kg.

13:18: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) hangs on for a desperate 17-9 win at 61kg and makes the semifinals! Saitiev got good laces to lead 14-5 at the break against Ajay KAPADE (IND) who began with some good forward pressure in the second period and gets a takedown. Saitiev was struggling with conditioning but he scored one takedown in the second period as well the 9 point lead was too much to cover for Kapade.

13:10: A 27-second finish for defending champion at 59kg Sakura ONISHI (JPN). She leg laces Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR) to advance to the quarterfinals

12:57: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) overpowers Jordyn FOUSE (USA) in their 68kg bout and wins 13-2. Fouse failed to get past Hoshino in those scrambles.

12:55: Aubre KRAZER (USA) mounts a comeback after being 3-0 down against Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) at 59kg and wins 10-3 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:50: Defending 57kg champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) looks so comfortable. She warms up with a 10-0 win over Anna KOEBLO (HUN)

12:45: That is history for Angola! Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG), the first-ever woman enter for a World Championships from the country, pulls off a fall over Ilinka STEFANOVA (BUL) in a back-and-forth bout at 68kg. First win at the world level for Angola in women's wrestling.

12:32: Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) gets the fall over world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 68kg! Erdenbat reached the far leg of Qiu and picked her for four-points before finishing the bout 11-0 and advance

12:15: In a rematch of the European U20 final at 57kg, Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) once again beats Tindra DALMYR (SWE). Domajeva got a takedown and a point for passivity and hung to her 3-1 lead for the win at 57kg.

12:05: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) must thank his luck that he managed to hang on for an 8-6 victory over Omar AYOUB (PUR) at 61kg. Ayoub had a 6-1 lead at the break but a takedown and stepout made it 6-4 for Khateri. Ayoub then gave a point for passivity and takedown in final seconds and drop the bout against the Iranian who is former world U17 champ.

11:55: Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) tried pinning Takuto OSEDO (JPN) but the Japanese managed to survive. Toktomatov hit the same cut-back for four points again in the second period and pinned Osedo at 61kg and book a place in the quarterfinal against Marcus BLAZE (USA)

11:46: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) scores two takedowns in his 61kg bout against Andrii SHOKALIUK (UKR) and wins 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is into the quarterfinals at 61kg after European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) is given three cautions and is out. In typical Blaze style, he is on a relentless attacking spree and Begoyan keeps evading. But a takedown right at the break makes it 3-0 for Blaze. They offered one for fleeing but not given. Begoyan gets on board in the second period with a head-outside finish for a takedown and makes it 3-2. A flurry of action and Blaze gets a stepout which Armenia challenges but lost which makes it 5-2 for Blaze with over a minute left in the bout. Blaze gets another point for open hands from Begoyan to lead 6-2. A caution for for Blaze for not engaging and one point for Begoyan. But two cautions against Begoyan for aggressive open hands and he is cautioned out of the match. 

11:20: That match felt like it went on for ages! European U20 silver medalist Sevim AKBAS (TUR) falls to Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR), 7-5, at 59kg. Miziurko had a big four-pointer which proved to be the difference. 

11:07: Returning bronze medalist at 68kg SRISHTI (IND) with a big double-leg for four to get a 10-0 win over Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda RODRIGUES (BRA). Srishti is also the Asian U23 champion this year.

11:05: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion at 68kg, scores a 10-0 win over Sheng Fang CAI (TPE) at 68kg. While she has frequently won medals at the Asian level, Tashtanbekova is looking for her first world medal.

10:55: Sabina TOREY (KAZ) with a quick fall over Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK) at 68kg to begin her international debut for Kazakhstan.

10:53: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) was in all sorts of trouble as returning silver medalist Ayse ERKAN (TUR) got her pinned on the mat in the 68kg bout. But Hoshino managed to move her head outside. Erkan had built a 6-0 lead before Hoshino scored a go-behind and then used an arm-bar to pin Erkan. All that in just two minutes.

10:50: Returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) puts a takedown clinic and beats Grigor CHERNAKOV (BUL) at 86kg. Rahmani is one of the favorites to win the gold in Samokov.

10:35: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), who failed to medal last year, begins with a 10-1 win over Danoush JOWKAR (GBR) at 61kg. He won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships and now hoping for a world medal as well.

10:20: European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) completes a first-period technical superiority win over Haci ZADE (TUR) at 61kg. Begoyan is looking to a world medal to his resume after the bronze he won in 2022 world U17.

10:15: Marcus BLAZE (USA) has to be one of the most exciting talents in Freestyle out there. The returning bronze medalists takes only 87 seconds to gut-wrench Sandro HUNGERBUEHLER (SUI) and 10-0 at 61kg.

10:00: The U20 World Championships will see the final two Freestyle weight classes, 61kg and 86kg, in action on Tuesday and the start of Women's Wrestling with 57kg, 59kg and 68kg.