Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush

Monday, September 12, 2022 - 18:06 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 12) -- Another time, another place, and the outcome would likely have been different. But riding the high energy from a home crowd that has been pushing its wrestlers to extraordinary heights, Mate NEMES (SRB) pulled off an upset for the ages.

Nemes continued host Serbia's incredible gold rush when he rallied to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the reigning world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) in the Greco-Roman 67kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships in Belgrade.

"This fight was exceptionally hard," Nemes said. "In the first period, the opponent was two times stronger than me, or maybe it was all in my head. I managed to defend myself from his toughest grip, which helped him win all of his matches in this World Championships."

Geraei looked to be in a good position to repeat as world champion when he took a 4-0 lead in the first period, scoring a 2-point defensive takedown and getting two for a leg foul when he attempted a lift and throw.

In the second period, Geraei tried to execute a roll while in on a takedown attempt, but Nemes halted the move and caught the Iranian on his back for his first two points of the match. That fired up the Stark Arena crowd and seemed to turn the tide, and Nemes picked up on the energy.

Nemes, put on top in par terre, managed to muscle Geraei over with a gut wrench to go ahead 5-4 with 1:25, then held off everything the Iranian threw at him to secure the biggest victory of his career and add to the world bronze he won in 2019.

Mate NEMES (SRB) defended everything Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) threw at him in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

"Those who are one percent psychologically more ready, will win," Nemes said. "In this fight, I was psychologically stronger in the second period. The opponent was last year’s world and Olympic champion, and I think he felt more pressure on him. The crowd helped a lot. In the second period, I didn’t give 100%, but 130%, 140%."

Serbia, which had won only a total of three world Greco golds in its young history coming into the competition, suddenly has four in this event alone. That has put the host on top of the team standings, although it will certainly be overtaken by Azerbaijan and possibly Turkey on the final day Monday.

Geraei had not lost at 67kg since falling to Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ) in the round-robin at the Asian U23 Championships in March 2019; since then, he had won six straight tournaments, including last year's Olympics and World Championships and the 2019 senior Asian title.

Nemes, who finished third at a pre-worlds international tournament in Warsaw, lost in the first round at the Tokyo Olympics to Frank STAEBLER (GER), who proceeded to lose to Geraei. His victory gives him the confidence to go further next time.

"I only need to win an Olympic gold, and then I’ll have won all the medals," Nemes said.

Sebastian NAD (SRB) won the gold medal at 63kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sebastian NAD (SRB) preceded his compatriot Nemes onto the top of the medal podium when he edged Leri ABULADZE (GEO) for the 63kg gold with a hard-fought 3-1 victory in the final.

"Abdulaze is a great wrestler," Nad said. "We had wrestled in February, so we both knew each other from before. In the end, it was again 3-1 for me. For me, he’s one of the best, and I wish him all the success."

Nad was put on top in par terre in the first period and he took advantage, completing a gut wrench to lead 3-0. The positions were reversed in the second, and Nad held his ground to preserve the lead and add to Serbia's gold tally.

"Today I was ready to die, I was ready to do everything to win," Nad said. "I won this fight without mistakes and I am very happy."

Not surprisingly, winning in front of the home crowd made the victory that much more special. And it will take some time for it all to sink in.

"This is my first big senior competition here in Belgrade, so I feel great," he said. "My first medal was in Novi Sad four years ago, I won second place then, and now I won first place in Belgrade. Everything is still new to me, so I’m still not aware of it."

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) won his fourth world title and first since 2017. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Superstar Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) added another chapter to his growing legend when he captured a fourth gold medal in his sixth world final, notching a solid 5-1 victory over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 97kg.

Aleksanyan, who won his third Olympic medal with a silver in Tokyo last year, got the chance in par terre in the first period and executed a back-and-forth pair of rolls to account for all of his points. He was at the bottom in the second period, but could not be budged by reigning European champion Milov.

"That’s my fourth world gold," said Aleksanyan, whose most recent world title came in 2017 after having to default in the final of the 2019 worlds. "For two years I couldn’t make it because of injuries. Thank God after the Olympic Games I took a year break and treated them all."

The 30-year-old Aleksanyan, who suffered a hamstring injury at the Tokyo Olympics and competed in Belgrade with his right shoulder strapped, hopes his injury worries are behind him.

"I am now in a good shape, but still not perfect because I’ve just recovered after the injury," he said. "I hope in the future I’ll get in better shape."

Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) gets the turn against Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) in the 82kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 82kg, 2021 silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) made the big step up to the top of the podium when he rallied to a 7-6 victory over 2019 bronze medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB).

Berdimuratov, looking to become just the second-ever Greco champion from Uzbekistan, looked well on his way when he opened the match with a 4-point arm throw. Akbudak came back with a pair of stepouts to cut the gap to 4-2, but on a third attempt, Berdimuratov shrugged him by and scored a takedown for a 6-2 lead at the break.

In the second period, Akbudak got his chance when he received a passivity point and was put on top in par terre. From there, he ripped off consecutive gut wrenches to take the lead for the first time with 1:16 left, and he held on for the gold.

Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) won the bronze at 67kg after a 25-point thriller. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

25-point thriller highlights bronze bouts

The day's bronze-medal matches featured the wildest encounter of the tournament, as Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) cut loose with 17 points in the second period to defeat Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in a 25-point thriller at 67kg.

Ismailov, the Asian silver medalist, went into the second period trailing 5-0. A stepout put him six points behind, but, having been put on top in par terre, he got a 2-point exposure and another two points for a foul. Then he really got in gear, launching a succession of crowd-pleasing throws for two, two and four points, before ending the match at 5:33 with a 4-point headlock throw for a 17-8 win.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), the 2021 world U23 and junior champion, followed with a comparatively staid 8-2 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) for the other 67kg bronze, which he capped with a 4-point throw following a reversal from the bottom of par terre.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) executed a five-point move in his bronze medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

At 63kg, Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) won his first world medal at age 33, and he did it in impressive fashion by beating Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) 10-4.

Mammadov, the European silver medalist the past two years, had just been rolled in par terre when he twisted to face Poghosyan and slammed him backward for four points. A short time later, he lifted Poghosyan up and after a dramatic pause, sent him flying for a 5-pointer.

The other 63kg bronze went to Erbatu TUO (CHN), who got the gut wrench from par terre and defeated Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) 4-1.

At 82kg, Tamas LEVAI (HUN) joined his brother as a medalist by posting a 3-1 win over Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), the 2021 champion who will leave Belgrade empty-handed.

Put on the bottom of par terre for the second time, Levai stopped a roll attempt and put Huseynov on his back for the 2 points that gave him the bronze. His brother Zoltan won the silver at 77kg on Sunday.

The other 82kg bronze went to Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), who got the roll in par terre to defeat European silver medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) 3-1 and earn his first-ever major senior-level medal.

World champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), right, won the bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 97kg, defending champion and Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) bounced back from his heartbreaking semifinal loss to Aleksanyan by outclassing Metehan BASAR (TUR) 6-1 for the bronze.

A roll from par terre and two stepouts were more than enough for Saravi, who denied Basar his first world medal since the Turk won back-to-back golds in 2017-18.

Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) defended twice from the bottom of par terre, and was ahead on criteria when a lost challenge gave him a final point and the other 97kg bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over two-time European medalist Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA).

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached 62kg final after beating world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) 11-5 in the semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Ozaki gets best of Tynybekova again

In the semifinals held earlier in the session, recently crowned world U20 champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) showed she could defeat a healthy Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), knocking off the defending world champion 11-5 in women's 62kg.

Taking a 3-2 lead into the second period, the 19-year-old Ozaki scored a 4-point takedown and then stretched the gap to 9-2. A whizzer sent Tynybekova to her back for two more, but the Kyrgyz managed to reverse the situation and put Ozaki precariously on her back for a moment. But the two-time world cadet champion held on for the victory.

Last year in Oslo, Tynybekova knocked off Ozaki in the first round en route to her second world title, while Ozaki came back to take home the bronze. They met again last April in the final at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, a match that Ozaki won by injury default while leading 9-1 when Tynybekova suffered a foot injury as Ozaki was reeling off her trademark lace lock.

Ozaki, who had to beat Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) to make the Japanese team, will face last year's silver medalist, Kayla MIRACLE (USA), in Tuesday's final.

The American was in a 3-point hole against Ana GODINEZ (CAN) when she put her directly onto her back with a slick barrel roll and secured a fall at 1:38.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic 53kg champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN), who has moved up to 55kg in the non-Olympic year, stormed into the final by routing 2019 world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by 12-0 technical fall.

Shidochi, a two-time world champion at 55kg, capped the victory with a 4-point tackle that ended the match in 2:10.

Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) defeated Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) in the 60kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the two remaining Greco weight classes, young Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) pulled a shocker when he scraped out a 5-5 victory on criteria over Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) at 60kg.

Nazaryan, the 2021 European U20 champion at 63kg, scored a 4-point move when he bulled an off-balance Fumita to his back at the edge at the end of the first period, then gained an all-important fifth point when the Japanese side unsuccessfully challenged.

In the final, Nazaryan will face another tough Asian in 2021 world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), who scored two takedowns and a throw in defeating Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 7-0.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) went past Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 5-3 in the 130kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 130kg, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) earned a shot at a fifth world gold when he forged a 5-3 victory over four-time Asian medalist Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The Uzbekistan wrestler took a 3-0 lead from par terre, but after being rolled, Kayaalp moved to the front and got two points back with a front lift to make it 3-2 after the first period. In the second, Kayaalp earned a passivity point and a stepout to clinch the win.

His opponent will be the dangerous 2021 world U23 champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who defeated Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 2-1, with a first-period stepout proving to be the decider.

Day 3 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (29 entries)
Semifinal - Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), 5-5
Semifinal - Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), 7-0

63kg (30 entries)
Gold - Sebastian NAD (SRB) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 3-1

Bronze - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 10-4
Bronze - Erbatu TUO (CHN) df. Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI), 4-1

67kg (30 entries)
Gold - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), 5-4

Bronze - Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-2
Bronze - Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) by TF, 17-8, 5:33

82kg (25 entries)
Gold - Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 7-6

Bronze - Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), 3-1
Bronze - Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 3-1

97kg (29 entries)
Gold - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Kiril MILOV (BUL), 5-1

Bronze - Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 2-1
Bronze - Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Metehan BASAR (TUR), 6-1

130kg (25 entries)
Semifinal - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 5-3
Semifinal - Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), 2-1

Women's Wrestling

55kg (17 entries)
Semifinal - Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 5-3
Semifinal - Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by TF, 12-0, 2:10

62kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Ana GODINEZ (CAN) by Fall, 1:38 (2-3)
Semifinal - Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), 11-5

#WrestleBelgrade

Sidakov wins World Championships showdown with Dake; Micic, Aitmukhan claim historic golds

Monday, September 18, 2023 - 21:46 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 18) -- After years on an inevitable collision course, Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Kyle DAKE (USA) finally met on the mat. In a wild encounter that lived up to the billing, Sidakov landed a big first blow as a Possible Prelude to Paris.

Sidakov wrangled enough points fighting off Dake's counters to forge a 10-7 victory in a highly anticipated freestyle 74kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships that is also serving as the first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"As you have all seen, the final match was really tough," Sidakov said. "Kyle is a worthy opponent. He is a four-time world champion and Olympic medalist, so I had this fighting spirit inside, I was going up there to wrestle for the whole six minutes."

While wrestling fans around the world got one of the dream matches they have been longing to see, it was also a day of celebration for the host country, which saw the crowning of its first-ever world champion in freestyle with the ascension of Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 57kg in Belgrade's Stark Arena.

Kazakhstan also saw the emergence of a first-ever freestyle gold medalist at a World Championships, with teenager Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) taking the title in the non-Olympic weight of 92kg, one of two decided on Monday.

Sidakov, in his first major competition since winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics, was trailing on criteria when he took the lead with a mind-boggling scramble, then finished up the victory with a late exposure for his third career world title.

Sidakov and Dake had been world champions together in 2018 and 2019 when the American was competing at 79kg. But Dake moved down to 74kg ahead of the 2021 Olympics, and although they did not meet in Tokyo, where Dake took bronze, the two were destined to someday take the mat together.

That day came on Monday and did not disappoint.

Dake struck first, gaining a step out in the first period while on the activity clock. Sidakov came back in the second period with a double-leg takedown, just seconds before he received an activity clock point to go up 3-1. Midway through the period, Dake went ahead on criteria with a well-executed single-leg takedown.

With 40 seconds left, all hell broke loose. Sidakov came in low on a single, and a seated Dake went into his counter position, reaching over and wrapping up the chest. In a crazy scramble, bodies and limbs were tossed around and when it was all sorted out, Sidakov was awarded five points (two exposures and a reversal) and Dake four (two exposures), putting Sidakov up 8-7.

"I had very different thoughts going through my mind," Sidakov said of what he was thinking during the challenge. "Either keep the score or attack, but one should choose only one plan and follow it. Today my plan worked out. As you’ve seen, I won the match."

There was no way that this was going to end calmly, and another scramble that could have gone either way in the final seconds ended up adding 2 to Sidakov's tally.

"[It was] two years without wrestling much internationally," Sidakov said. "I wrestled six matches at this tournament, the last time I wrestled as many matches as I did this time I think was on a cadet level. I woke up in the morning today, and I felt this pain in my body, but I prepared for the fight."

Stevan MICIC (SRB) defeated Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in the 57kg final to become Serbia's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Micic, who defeated reigning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Zavur UGUEV (AIN) en route to the final, stepped up his game to another level to defeat 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) 7-4.

"This is insane," said the American-bred Micic, whose grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia. "It feels like a dream... In reality, this is what I've been working for, and I think it's going to take a minute for this to actually set in. I'm so proud of myself, but also proud of all the support behind me."

Micic, who spent time training in Japan earlier this year, got on the scoreboard first with a go-behind takedown, but Higuchi came back with a blast double to go into the second period up 2-2 on criteria. Higuchi added a single-leg takedown to up the lead to 4-2, but Micic regained the lead with a takedown.

As Higuchi, the world champion last year at 61kg, pressed for the winning takedown, Micic used his long reach to score 2 with a counter. In the final seconds, Higuchi got in deep with a single at the edge, but a challenge failed to give him the points he was seeking.

"The biggest difference between Higuchi and the other opponents is that his offense is so crisp," Micic said. "For Higuchi, my guard had to be up always."

Micic said his 9-7 quarterfinal victory on Sunday over Uguev gave him the boost of confidence that propelled the 2022 bronze medalist to his greatest triumph.

"I felt a confidence in myself for Abakarov that maybe wouldn't have been if I didn't wrestle Uguev first," he said. "Maybe the Abakarov match [a 6-2 win in the semifinals] might have been different."

Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) won the 79kg gold medal after beating Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-1, in the final. (Photo: Amirreza Aliasgari)

There were also two finals in non-Olympic weight classes.

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) made the most of his first tournament abroad since winning a world junior (U20) silver medal in 2016, winning the gold with a workmanlike 4-1 victory over world U23 champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO).

Usmanov was limited to an activity point in the first period but started the second with a lightning-quick high crotch takedown for a 3-0 lead. He added a stepout before Gamkrelidze added one of his own in the final seconds.

"The final match was really tough," Usmanov said. "In the first period, the score was 1-0 and in the 2nd period, I knew I had to attack to get the points and make the difference bigger."

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) became Kazakhastan's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The other gold went to teenager Aitmukhan, who came from behind to deny two-time bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) a first gold with a 5-2 victory at 92kg.

Nurmagomedov had a 2-0 lead from an activity point and stepout when Aitmukhan, the Asian silver medalist this year, finally got on the scoreboard with a stepout with 30 seconds left. But the referees deemed that Nurmagomedov had fled the action and tacked on another point to put Aitmukhan up 2-2 on criteria.

As Nurmagomedov pressed for a winning move, Aitmukhan whizzed him over at the edge for 2. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

Before Aitmukhan made it to the top of the podium, Kazakhstan had five wrestlers who made it to the final at a senior worlds, but each went down to defeat.

Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) qualified Serbia at 74kg for the Paris Olympics with bronze medal at World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Serbia adds bronze

In the bronze-medal matches in the Olympic weights, Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) gave the host country another ticket to Paris when he rallied to a 6-4 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg for his third career world medal.

Bayramov was on the clock when he scored a takedown with a slick inside trip to lead 2-1. The Azeri side initiated a challenge, hoping to make the takedown a 4-pointer. That was denied, but still left Bayramov ahead on criteria.

But with 20 seconds left, Cabalov scored a single-leg takedown and added a roll to go up 6-2.

That gave him the leeway when he gave up a stepout and a fleeing point in the final seconds, allowing him to add the bronze medal to the silver he won in 2017 and gold in 2016.

The other bronze at 74kg went to Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), whose dramatic victory by fall over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) allowed him to emulate his older brother Sohsuke as both a world medalist and Olympian.

Takatani found himself in an early 4-point hole before he cut the gap with a takedown at the end of the first period. In the second period, he got in deep on a single, transitioned to a cradle and worked Kougioumtsidis onto his back. He then stepped over and clamped down for the fall at 3:37.

The elder Takatani brother appeared in his third Olympics in Tokyo and won a silver medal -- also at 74kg -- at the 2014 World Championships. The Japan federation has decreed that any wrestler in an Olympic weight class who wins a medal will automatically fill the Olympic berth, meaning Daichi has a confirmed ticket to Paris.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) defeated Zavur UGUEV (AIN) in the bronze medal bout at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Abakarov came out on top in his bronze-medal clash with Uguev, scoring a takedown and exposure in the final 40 seconds to win 4-4 on criteria.

Uguev, the gold medalist in Tokyo two years ago, looked in control after taking a 4-0 lead with an activity point, a stepout early in the second period, and a takedown while on the activity clock. But Abakarov, who last year became Albania's first-ever world gold medalist, stepped up when it counted and pulled off the victory.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) captured his third straight world bronze and first at 57kg, which means a second chance for an Olympic medal. Having moved down from 61kg to the Olympic weight, Harutyunyan totally dominated Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) with an 11-0 technical fall.

Two-time world silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the bronze medal at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the non-Olympic weight classes, Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) wasn't able to improve on the silver medals he won the past two years at 79kg, but won't be leaving Belgrade empty-handed after taking bronze with a comprehensive 10-0 rout of Orkhan ABASOV (AZE).

Nokhodi seized the momentum from the opening whistle, scoring a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches for a quick 6-0 lead. He then picked up two snapdown takedowns, the second one ending the match at 2:50.

In a battle of reigning continental champions, Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) earned his second straight bronze at 79kg, scoring a takedown in the first period that proved decisive in a 3-1 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ).

Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze medal at 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 92kg, two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning takedown with two seconds left for a 5-3 victory.

Akturk was leading 3-1 and squandered a takedown opportunity that kept the door open for Maisuradze, who then tripped Akturk out at the edge with 20 seconds left. The original call of a stepout was revised on a challenge to a takedown, putting the Georgian up 3-3 on criteria.

But Akturk wasn't going to go down easy and immediately secured a single leg, got it up in the air, and then took the action to the mat where he forced Maisuradze's knee down for the winning points.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) celebrates after beating Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) in the 92kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) added the other 92kg bronze to the U.S. tally, overwhelming teenaged Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by a 10-0 technical fall in 1:41.

Valencia led 3-0 after an exposure off a scramble and an unsuccessful challenge, then transitioned from a takedown to a high-thigh lock before reeling off three rolls to finish the match.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN) returned to win a Paris Olympic quota as an Individual Neutral Athlete. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Kougioumtsidis prevail in playoffs

Uguev returned to the mat later in the fifth-place playoff for the Paris Olympic quota at 57kg and rode an early takedown to a 4-0 victory over Kartbay.

For now, Uguev has secured the Olympic spot as an Individual Neutral Athlete, but it hinges on a final determination by the International Olympic Committee on the eligibility of Russian and Belarussian athletes in Paris.

Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) clinched a Paris Olympic quota after he won in the playoff as Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) was cautioned out. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Kougioumtsidis gained the 74kg quota for Greece, coming back from an 8-point deficit to defeat Bayramov, officially by disqualification after a third caution. Kougioumtsidis kept chipping away at the lead as a fatigued Bayramova drew two cautions for fleeing.

But Bayramov, who had a 4-point throw in the first period, looked like he might still hang on when Kougioumtsidis scored a step out at the buzzer to tie the score 8-8. But the Greeks launched a challenge that Bayramov had grabbed Kougioumtsidis' singlet, and that was upheld, resulting in the disqualification.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Stevan MICIC (SRB) df. Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), 7-4

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 3:59
BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Zavur UGUEV (AIN), 4-4

5th-Place Playoff: Zavur UGUEV (AIN) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 4-0

65kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) vs. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)

Semifinal: Iszmail MUSUKAEV (HUN) df. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), 6-5
Semifinal: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) df. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), 10-9

74kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 10-7

BRONZE: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 6-4
BRONZE: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) by Fall, 3:37 (6-4)

5th-Place Playoff: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) by Disq.,
6:00 (8-8)

79kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) by TF, 10-0, 2:50
BRONZE: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

92kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-2
BRONZE: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-3
BRONZE: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 1:41

97kg (35 entries)
GOLD: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

Semifinal: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 6-1
Semifinal: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) by Inj. Def., 4:57 (9-2)

Women's Wrestling

55kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) vs. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA)

Semifinal: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 6-0
Semifinal: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) by TF, 10-0, 4:02

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Yuliia TKACH (UKR)

Semifinal: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Jennifer PAGE (USA), 5-1
Semifinal: Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Elena BRUGGER (GER) by Fall, 1:14 (2-0)

Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush

Comments

Sidakov wins World Championships showdown with Dake; Micic, Aitmukhan claim historic golds