2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo Flashback: Relive 2025 Ranking Series Stop in Tirana

Friday, February 13, 2026 - 09:04 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TIRANA, Albania (February 13) -- There is a good chance that the gold medalist at the Muhamet Malo 2026 Ranking Series event will have a good season. It happened in 2025. Most of the gold medalists from 2025 managed to win respective continental or world medals.With the second Ranking Series of 2026 once again in Tirana, here's a flashback to the one in 2025. Follow the 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series on uww.org, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube.

MUHAMET MALO 2026 RANKING SERIES ENTRIES

WATCH ALL FINALS FROM 2025 MUHAMET MALO RANKING SERIES HERE

Freestyle

Iran brought a solid team to Tirana last year with Olympic silver medalists Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). It won four gold medals with both Amouzad and Zare winning at 65kg and 125kg, respectively. Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) won at 92kg with rather ease and at 57kg, Ali MOMENI (IRI) got a fall in the final.

Kaeisi TANABE (JPN) was also in the field at 65kg. However, he went on to lose his semifinal against Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and then the bronze medal bout to Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ).

But the most memorable win was that of Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who announced himself as a big contender at 97kg, first time in Tirana. Wrestling world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the semifinals, Yoshida stunned the crowd in Tirana with a thrilling 5-5 victory over the American wrestler.

Snyder led 4-1 at the break and then added another point in the second period. But Yoshida hit a cut back and then a turn to take a 5-5 criteria lead which he held on to until time expired in the match. The winning firmly put Yoshida as one of the top 97kg wrestlers in the world.

Two other Japanese stars also won gold medals last year. Takara SUDA (JPN) was the best at 61kg displaying some tricky wrestling as he won gold while Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) kept it simple to win the gold medal at 70kg.

It was also the return of Chermen VALIEV (ALB) since he won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. He did not disappoint the home fans, capturing the 74kg gold medal in an actionless 2-0 win over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK).

Greco-Roman

An Olympic final rematch occurred inn Tirana in Greco-Roman. At 87kg, Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) and Alireza MOHMEDI (IRI) clashed in the quarterfinals. Mohmedi had lost to Novikov in the Paris 2024 final but he turned it around in Tirana, blanking Novikov 5-0. The heated match included some words exchanged between the two at the end of the bout.

Mohmedi won't stop there. He defeated Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1, in the semifinal and later went on to win the gold medal once David LOSONCZI (HUN) injury defaulted in the final.

Both Komarov and Mohmedi would later meet in the final of the World Championships in Zagreb. This time, Komarov avenged that loss from Tirana and won the gold medal while Mohmedi was heartbroken with the loss.

Tirana was also the start of a resurgence of Kerem KAMAL (TUR). After some frustrating years at 60kg, Kamal began the new season at 63kg and won gold. It set the tone for 2025 as he went on to win two more Ranking Series gold medals and became the European champion at 63kg.

Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) made his senior debut at 55kg in Tirana. He won his first two bouts before falling in the final against Emre MUTLU (TUR). Lolua had won silver medal at the U17 World Championships before 2025 but he would later win silver at the U20 Worlds and then become world champion at 55kg in one of the exciting matches in 2025 against U20 world champion Payam AHMADI (IRI).

At 130kg, world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) remained a rock and won gold without giving up any action points in his four bouts.

Women's Wrestling

As is the theme in Women's Wrestling, Japan won the most gold medals in Tirana as well. Out of the 10 golds, Japan won six medals.

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) was making her international debut at 53kg after winning gold at World Championships at 55kg. She began well but had a scare in the semifinals against Lillia MALANCHUK (UKR). She even trailed in the semifinals before winning 15-8. She later defeated Andreea ANA (ROU) in the final, 6-0, to capture the gold medal.

At 55kg, Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) was solid throughout, winning the gold medal with ease. Umi ITO (JPN) had a similar outing as she swept the field to claim the 50kg gold medal.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) gave a glimpse of her 2025 in Tirana. The teenager won gold medal in Tirana at 59kg and she continued her form winning U20 world gold and then the senior world title in September.

Another Tirana gold medalist who became world champion in Zagreb was Ami ISHII (JPN) at 68kg. A world champion at 72kg in 2024, Ishii moved down to 68kg and was instantly successful. She defeated Zelu LI (CHN), 8-2, in the final. She won the world title in Zagreb, winning five bouts and giving up only three points.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) was another gold medalist for Japan. She defeated Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) in the semifinals and faced Irina RINGACI (MDA) for the gold medal. Ringaci had earlier defeated her, 7-5, in the round robin bout. Morikawa fell behind 6-3 in the final as well but Ringaci pulled out injured midway through the final, giving Morikawa the gold medal.

The two also met at the World Championships but Morikawa would stamp her authority in Zagreb with a 10-0 win over Ringaci. She won the gold medal by beating Alina KASABEIVA (UWW), 8-0.

At 72kg, Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) won the Nelson bracket that also included a 3-1 win over Alla BELINSKA (UKR) who later went on to win the gold medal at the World Championships.

Veteran Samantha STEWART (CAN) made the tournament memorable for herself winning the gold medal with three wins, including two via falls.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 FS 57kg, 74kg, 79kg, 92kg Highlights

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 08:42 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 14) -- World Championships enters day with Freestyle continuing in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 REPORT

READ THE SEMIFINAL REPORT HERE

74kg semifinal

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)
SF 2: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

15:17: For much of his 74kg quarterfinal with David CARR (USA), Chermen VALIEV (ALB) was the second-best wrestler on the mat. He falls behind 5-1, and in the second period, Carr is in deep on a single and looking to pad his lead. But Valiev, an Olympic bronze medalist, twists Carr over for a 2-point exposure. Then he amazingly goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with :46 left. In his desperation to score, Carr allows Valiev to get behind, and Valiev scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to go ahead 7-5. He then fends off Carr's attack to secure a hard-fought win.

15:15: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) builds a 4-0 lead over Yones EMAMI (IRI) at the break with two takedowns. But Emami fires back with a takedown and turn for a 4-4 criteria lead. Takahashi blocks him and cradles for two points. He then adds a takedown when a squared but Emami stands tall and leads 8-4. A stepout is confirmed to make it 9-4. Takahashi keeps the pressure and Emami gives up a takedown on the edge. Takahashi, leading 11-4, keeps his distance from Emami and wins 11-4.

15:14: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) leads 3-0 Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) with a point and takedown. He then adds another point for activity in the second period to make it 4-0. A takedown in the final 30 seconds swells his lead to 6-0, the winning score.

15:13: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) stays on track to a fourth world gold with a workmanlike 5-1 win over Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Sidakov uses his deep single to great effect, scoring a takedown in each period. All of the other points came on the activity clock.

92kg semifinals

SF 1: Trent HIDLAY (USA) vs Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
SF 2:  Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) vs. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)

15:03: Trent HIDLAY (USA) brings his best underhook game and scores at will against Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO). He wins 6-1 and heads to the semifinals of the World Championships.

15:03: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period when, with Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) on the clock, he scores a takedown at the edge. As he gets the activity point, he quickly adds a stepout, which gives him the buffer he needs when Tsakulov comes to life and scores a takedown. Firouzpour adds a late takedown off a desperation attempt Tsakulov and he's into the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win.

15:02: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) cannot match the strength of Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg he drops his quarterfinal against 9-0.

14:56: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earns his place in the 92kg quarterfinals when his opponent Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) has to default midway through the first period with a left knee injury. Nurmagomedov got in on a low single, and Kurugliev immediately signaled the injury to his knee, which was heavily taped to begin with.

79kg semifinals

SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
SF 2: Levi HAINES (USA) vs. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)

14:50: Levi HAINES (USA) had the crowd on his side as he desperately tried to get through the stalling defenses of Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) as he attempted to preserve a 2-0 lead, with both of his points coming off the activity clock. The American's efforts paid off just in time -- he scored a takedown at the edge with 1.9 seconds left. An unsuccessful challenge gave him a 3-2 win and a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

14:46: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with some impeccable defense in the quarterfinal against Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) as he wins 3-0 to book a spot in the semifinals at 79kg.

14:45: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) gives absolutely no chance to Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the quarterfinal at 74kg and wins his bout 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

14:45: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the battle of activity points with Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), getting two to his opponent's one for a 2-1 victory at 79kg. Mykhailov was down 2-0 when he received an activity point to cut the gap. He also launched the lone true attack of the match, but Nokhodi managed to force it to a stalemate.

57kg Semifinals

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs Chongsong HAN (PRK)
SF 2: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)

14:36: Chongsong HAN (PRK) took a 4-0 lead and seemed to be cruising to a victory over Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) at 57kg, but seemed to suffer an injury that slowed him down. In the second period, Bravo Young received a fleeing point, then scored a late takedown to cut the gap to 4-3. But Han avoided being turned over to assure his place in the semifinals.

14:34: A close victory for Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Abdullaev built a 3-0 lead but gave a takedown in the second period as Mekhtikhanov made it 3-2. Mekhtikhanov challenged in the dying seconds for fleeing but there was none. Abdullaev moves into the semifinals with a 4-2 victory.

14:32: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) bounces back after giving up the first point for passivity against Spencer LEE (USA) in the 57kg quarterfinals. He blocks a duck-under attempt and adds a stepout to lead 3-1. He then scores a takedown to make it 5-1 at the break. Harutyunyan with a cut-back to score four points before Lee counters with an exposure for two. Harutyunyan leads 9-3. The United States challenges the four points but it is upheld and challenge is lost. Harutyunyan leads 10-3. He adds a takedown to make it 12-5, lace turn for 14-3 and it's a win for Harutyunyan over Olympic silver medalist.

14:31: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) put on a second-period onslaught to storm into the 57kg semifinals with a 16-5 win over Vladimir EGOROV (MKD). Almaz Uulu led 5-5 on criteria going into the second period when he scored a stepout, then parlayed a takedown into four rolls and other exposures to end the match with :45 to spare.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time.

14:10: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) posts a 12-2 victory over Ibragim VELIEV (BEL) in the 74kg pre-quarterfinals and he books a quarterfinal against David CARR (USA).

14:02: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to make mincemeat of the competition, barging into the 74kg quarterfinals with his third straight technical fall of the day without giving up a point. He made Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) his latest victim, twice getting in on a double leg, then pressing ahead as the Georgian attempted a counter lift to complete the takedown -- then adding a gut wrench to boot. On the second combination in the second period, he added a second roll to finish the match 10-0.

13:55: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) completes a 5-0 win over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two takedowns and moves into the quarterfinal at 74kg. He is joined by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who also wins 5-0 against Anthony MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN).

13:54: Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) just cannot keep up with the amazing speed of David CARR (USA), who zips his way to four takedowns in the first period by snatching a single leg or getting behind in a blink of an eye. He ends it with a low single less than a minute into the second period for a 10-0 win to advance to the 74kg quarterfinals.

13:43: Three-time Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) gets a pair of takedowns in the first period, then picks up some free points in the second to advance to the 92kg last-8 with a 7-0 victory over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:33: World silver medalist from 2023 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) scores a takedown in the first period and leads 2-0 against Deepak PUNIA (IND) at the break. He is put on the activity clock in the second period. He gives up that point but still leads 2-1. An exchange leads to two points for both wrestlers, with Nurmagomedov still leading 4-3 with less than 30 seconds left. He defends his lead and wins 4-3 at 92kg.

13:32: Two more Americans advance to the quarterfinals with 10-0 victories in back-to-back matches on Mat C. Levi HAINES (USA) takes out Bumgae SEO (KOR) at 79kg, and Trent HIDLAY (USA) follows by whitewashing Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg.

13:26: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), a four-time world medalist, launches his quest for a first gold by scoring a takedown in each period for a tame 4-0 victory over Michael LABRIOLA (PUR) to book his place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:22: Spencer LEE (USA), Paris Olympic silver medalist, with a leg-lace and wins his first bout at 57kg 10-0 against Yusuf DEMIR (TUR).

13:15: In a replay of the gold-medal match at the 2023 worlds, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) holds on for a 4-1 victory over Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to gain a spot in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) proves too much for young Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), pulling away in the second period to win 9-4 and advance to the 57kg quarterfinals. Almaz Uulu leads 3-2 in the second period when he gets a takedown and exposure to go up 7-2. Sakamoto gets behind for a takedown, but can't get the lace-lock going, then gives up a late desperation takedown.

13:00: Three-time world medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) survives a grueling and thrilling test with Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), surging late then holding on for a 13-8 victory to make the 57kg quarterfinals. Harutyunyan trailed 5-2 in the second period when he put on a seven-point spree to go ahead. Batkhuyag wasn't done, getting a stepout, then stunning Harutyunyan with a quick takedown right off the whistle to make it 9-8. But the Armenian clinches the win with a takedown and roll in the final seconds.

13:00: Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) built a 3-0 lead and then held on to it. He gave up a point but still managed to win 4-1. A point for lost challenge from Aryan TSIUTRYN (UWW).

12:50: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) with a fall over Ali MOMENI (IRI) at 61kg. Excellent wrestling from Bravo Young as he builds a 6-0 lead and then keeps Momeni on the mat for a fall

12:45: 2024 world U23 champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to impress by driving to a 12-0 whitewash of Vitali IHNATOVICH (UWW) to advance at 74kg. Takahashi gets a takedown-roll combination for a 5-0 first-period lead, then repeats the process in the second, adding a second exposure.

12:45: European champion Chermen VALIEV (ALB) with a gut-wrench against Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL) and he wins 12-2 at 74kg. Valiev is looking for his first-ever world medal

12:44: Not much action, but neither was Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) in any real danger as he begins his bid for a fourth world title with a 5-1 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg. Sidakov picks up an activity point in the first period, then pads the lead with a stepout and activity point in the second before clinching the win with a takedown. He gives up a late fleeing point.

12:40: World silver medalist Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) with a 5-0 victory over Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) at 74kg. Salkazanov is looking to add to his collection of world medals

12:36: David CARR (USA) spotted Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD) a quick four points in their 74kg encounter, but stormed back to keep the American record spotless on the day. Trailing 5-2 in the second period, Carr turned the tide with a 4-point double-leg takedown, which he topped off with a leg lace for a 9-5 win.

12:35: Deepak PUNIA (IND), who has been a long-time 86kg, is at 92kg for this season and won silver medal at the Asian Championships. He takes on Benjamin GREIL (AUT) in his first match in Zagreb. He builds a 3-0 lead at the break. Both trade stepouts in the second period before Punia scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. Punia happy to hang on to his lead and advance at 92kg.

12:03: In a battle between two-time Asian bronze medalists, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who watched his brother Hayato make the final at 86kg on Saturday, was dealt a tough 3-1 loss by Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg. Sharipov scored a first-period takedown before adding an activity point in the second period, when Ishiguro could only manage a stepout.

11:55: Three-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) needs less than a minute to build an eight-point lead on Patrik LEDER (CAN) at 79kg, opening with a 4-point takedown and adding two gut wrenches. It takes a little while, but he finishes it up in the first period with a stepout and an unsuccessful challenge.

11:54: Trent HIDLAY (USA), winner of the Budapest Ranking Series event, shows a nice mix of power and agility in storming to an 11-1 victory Redjep HAJDARI (MKD) at 92kg.

11:50: Two-time world bronze medalist Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) is off to impressive start at 79kg, chalking up four takedowns in a 11-9 win over Alans AMIROVS (LAT).

11:41: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) is having trouble breaking down the defenses of Salah KATEB (ALG)  at 57kg, and is limited to a stepout in the final seconds of the first period for a 1-1 lead. In the second period, he loses a challenge over a potential stepout. But he quickly gets a stepout, with a fleeing point tacked on, then the dam breaks and he scores a takedown and launches a series of gut wrenches to win 12-2 in 4:10.

11:30: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) begins his quest for a world medal at 79kg with a 10-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). The Greece wrestlers looks solid here.

11:25: Two-time European champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) forges out a 6-2 victory over Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) to advance at 79kg as he looks to repeat his world title from 2023.

11:20: Thomas EPP (SUI) was caught in a fireman carry by Ali MOMENI (IRI) who packs him and smashes for five. Momeni wins 6-1 at 57kg.

11:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, proves too much for Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) to handle in their 57kg clash, scoring four takedowns en route to an 11-0 victory.

11:09: At 57kg, 2023 world bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) loses his balance while in on a single and European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) turns into a 4-point takedown. But the Mongolian gradually cuts the gap and rallies to win 6-4.

11:07: Can Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) earn the first-ever medal for Mexico at the World Championships? He begins his quest with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Niklas STECHELE (GER) at 57kg

11:02: Asian champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) gets thing started in his 57kg opener against Darian CRUZ (PUR) with a nifty 4-point arm throw, then locks the thighs around his head and rolls for another 2. Han adds a takedown and he's through with an 8-0 win.

11:02: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) begins with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) at 57kg. His lace is lethal.

11:00: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), who won the 74kg gold medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, completes a first-period technical superiority over Ok Chol HAN (PRK). Takahashi built a 5-0 lead with early bursts of takedown. He made it 9-0 with another takedown and lace. A stepout finishes off things 10-0.

10:50: In a major matchup in the 70kg repechage between multi-world medalists, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will get a chance to add to his collection when he broke open a close match with a series of gut wrenches to oust Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) 14-4. Akmataliev was losing on criteria when he got 2 with a front body lock roll, then transititioned behind and hit the gut wrenches before Muszukajev knew what hit him.

10:30: We will continue Freestyle action at the World Championships in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg. Here is the preview for the same.