Nine European Wrestlers Garner Greco-Roman Top Seed Heading into Nur-Sultan

Friday, August 23, 2019 - 14:44 By Eric Olanowski

*These seeds are based off the current unofficial entries United World Wrestling has received as of August 21. These seeds are subject to change.

VEVEY, Switzerland (August 23) --- Nine European wrestlers and Asia's KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) own a Greco-Roman top seed heading into the 2019 World Championships (September 14-22) in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Here Are the No. 1 Seeds at Each Weight:
55kg - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
60kg - Sergey EMELIN (RUS)
63kg - Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS)
67kg - Artem SURKOV (RUS)
72kg - Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL)
77kg - Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
82kg - Emrah KUS (TUR)
87kg - Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)
97kg - Musa EVLOEV (RUS)
130kg - Sergey SEMENOV (RUS)

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will look to defend his 55kg world title in Nur-Sultan. He's the No. 1 seed at 55kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Azizli Atop 55kg Seeds

Expected 55kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
2. Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB)
3. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
4. Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG)

Returning world champ Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) sits atop the seeds at 55kg at the World Championships. Nur-Sultan will be Azizli’s second competition of the year at the weight where he claimed his first career world title. His first competition at 55kg this season was in Bucharest, Romania, at the European Championships. The reigning world champion fell short of reaching the top of the podium but fought his way back to a bronze-medal finish.

Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) is the second-seeded wrestler at 55kg. The 2019 Asian champion will make his second appearance at a senior-level World Championship. He'll try to improve on his ninth-place finish from last year's World Championships.

Returning world medalists Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), who are ranked third and fourth, respectively, won’t make the trip to Nur-Sultan. They'll vacate their seed to Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO).

The reigning U23 world and European champion will be making his first showing at the World Championships as the third-seeded wrestler. This season, Tsurtsumia finished in eighth place at the European Championships but won gold at the Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup – which was the last time he's competed this season.

Algeria’s African champion Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) closes out the top-four seeded wrestlers at 55kg.

Sergey EMELIN (RUS) enters the World Championships as the No. 1 seed at 60kg. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Emelin Enters Worlds As Top Seed at 60kg

Expected 60kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Sergey EMELIN (RUS)
2. Seunghak KIM (KOR)
3. Victor CIOBANU (MDA)
4. Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO)

Sergey EMELIN (RUS) started the season as the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the world at 60kg – and that’s exactly how he heads into Nur-Sultan. The Russian is the top-seeded guy at 60kg after winning a world title last season and finishing this year’s European Championships in second place. He also finished in first place at this season’s Dan Kolov.

Arguably the most surprising run to a top-four seed came from Korea’s KIM Seunghak. He’ll be seeded second at 60kg. After a disappointing 28th-place finish in Budapest, Kim not only competed but earned points at every Ranking Series event this season. The Korean fell in the bronze-medal bout of the Grand Prix of Zagreb but tallied a trio of gold medals at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the City of Sassari Tournament and the Oleg Karavaev.

Returning world runner-up Victor CIOBANU (MDA) is seeded third at 60kg. The Moldovan fell to Emelin in the world finals last year, but exacted revenge and became his nations first-ever European champion with a win over the Russian in Bucharest earlier this year.

Croatia’s two-time Ranking Series bronze medalist Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO) rounds out the top-four seeds at 60kg.

Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) is undefeated on the season and moves into the World Championships as the top seed at 63kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Maryanyan Moves into Worlds as 63kg No. 1 Seed

Expected 63kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS)
2. Erbatu TUO (CHN)
3. Shinobu OTA (JPN)
4. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM)

The first seeded wrestler at 63kg is Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS). The Russian has been one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world over the past year. Since winning his world title, top-seeded Maryanyan has won the European Championships, European Games and the Dan Kolov.

China’s returning world bronze medalist TUO Erbatu (CHN) is seeded second at 63kg. This season, Tuo has competed in five events and medaled at four of them. The Chinese wrestler won the Asian Championships and Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup, finished in second place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, and finished in third place at the Dan Kolov. The lone competition he didn’t medal at was the final Ranking Series event of the year, the Oleg Karavaev.

Rio Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN) owns the third seed at the World Championships. Ota has won a pair of gold medals this season and has only lost one match. His pair of golds came at the Grand Prix of Hungary and Oleg Karavaev. He also finished in second place at the Dan Kolov, where he dropped his finals bout to top-seeded Maryanyan.

The fourth-seeded wrestler at 63kg will be Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM). The Armenian wrestler placed fifth at the European Championships this season. That was his lone appearance in 2019.

Artem SURKOV (RUS) sails into Nur-Sultan atop the 67kg top-four seeds. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Surkov Sails into Worlds as Top Seed at 67kg

Expected 67kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Artem SURKOV (RUS)
2. Hansu RYU (KOR)
3. Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL)
4. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)

Reigning world champion Artem SURKOV (RUS) is the first seeded wrestlers at 67kg. Since winning his world title, he’s finished top-three at a trio of events but failed to reach the top of the podium. This season, Surkov was a runner-up at the Dan Kolov and Grand Prix of Germany, and a bronze medalist at the European Championships.

Korea’s two-time world champion RYU Hansu (KOR) begins his quest to reach the top of the world podium for a third time as the second seed at 67kg. This season, Ryu started his season winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, and Asian Championships. Then, Ryu won back-to-back Ranking Series medals at the City of Sassari Tournament and Oleg Karavaev.

Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) and Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) are the third and fourth-seeded wrestlers, respectively.

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) moved into the No. 1 seed after reinging world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) moved down to the Olympic weight of 67kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Mnatsakanian Motors His Way to No. 1 Seed at 72kg

Expected 72kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL)
2. Balint KORPASI (HUN)
3. Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS)
4. Hujun ZHANG (CHN)

Germany’s three-time world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) moved down to the Olympic weight of 67kg and will surrender his top seed to Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL). After finishing last year’s World Championships with a bronze medal, Mnatsakanian has made it to the podium at four straight senior-level events. The Bulgarian won the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial, finished in second at the Dan Kolov, and closed out the European Championships and the Grand Prix of Zagreb with bronze medals.

The second-seeded wrestler at 72kg is returning world runner-up Balint KORPASI (HUN). In his two appearances this season, Korpasi reached the finals. He won the German Grand Prix but fell in the finals of the City of Sassari Tournament.

This year’s 72kg European champion Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) will be the third-seeded wrestler in Nur-Sultan, while ZHANG Hujun (CHN) rounds out the top four seeds at 72kg.

KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) is the lone non-European No. 1 seed. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Kim Keeps Top Seed at 77kg

Expected 77kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
2. Viktor NEMES (SRB)
3. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
4. Pavel LIAKH (BLR)

Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) is the lone non-European wrestler who owns a top seed at the World Championships. This year’s Asian champion competed in three of four Ranking Series events and medaled in each of his appearances. He won the City of Sassari Tournament and took home bronze at the Grand Prix of Zagreb and Hungarian Grand Prix.

Serbia’s 2017 world champion Viktor NEMES is the second-seeded wrestler at 77kg. Last year’s world bronze medalist won titles this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix and G. Kartozia & V. Balavadze Price. He also closed out the European Championships in third place.

Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) and Pavel LIAKH (BLR) will be seeded third and fourth respectively at 77kg.

Emrah KUS (TUR) will be looking to improve his second-place finish from last year's World Championships. He comes into Nur-Sultan as the top seed at 82kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Kus Knots Top Seed at 82kg

Expected 82kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Emrah KUS (TUR)
2. Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR)
3. Saeid Morad ABDVALI (IRI)
4. Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN)

Turkey’s 2018 Budapest world runner-up Emrah KUS comes into Nur-Sultan as the top-seeded wrestler at 82kg.

Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) owns the second seed at 82kg. Though he finished in seventh place at the European Championships, he won 2019 titles at the Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Tournament and the Oleg Karavaev Memorial.

The final two seeded wrestlers at 82kg will be continental champs Saeid ABDVALI (IRI) and Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN). Third-seeded Abdvali is the reigning Asian champion, while fourth-seeded Bisultanov is the reigning European champion.

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) is looking to win his first world title since 2015. He'll be the top seed at 87kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Beleniuk Bullies Way to Top Seed at 87kg

Expected 87kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)
2. Metehan BASAR (TUR)
3. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN)
4. Islam ABBASOV (AZE)

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) and Metehan BASAR (TUR) have been battling for 87kg supremacy for the last twelve months. But, it’s the Ukrainian wrestler who owns the top seed in Nur-Sultan.

Since dropping last year’s world finals to Basar, Beleniuk has won the European Championships and the European Games, while the Turkish wrestler has failed to medal in his four showings this season.

Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) comes into the World Championships as the third seed. Since his 14th-place finish in Budapest last year, Lorincz has been one of the most consistent wrestlers in the world. He’s won the Grand Prix Zagreb, Hungarian Grand Prix and the City of Sassari Tournament. He also finished in third place at the European Games.

European Games and championship runner-up Islam ABBASOV (AZE) rounds out the top-four seeded wrestlers at 87kg.

Musa EVLOEV (RUS) comes to Kazakhstan as the No. 1 seed at 97kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Evloev Enters World Championships as Top Seed at 97kg

Expected 97kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Musa EVLOEV (RUS)
2. Kiril MILOV (BUL)
3. Tracy HANCOCK (USA)
4. Mihail KAJALA (SRB)

Musa EVLOEV (RUS) hasn’t budged since winning his world title last year. He’ll be the top-seeded wrestler at 97kg – and deservedly so. This season, Evloev has won the Dan Kolov, European Championships and the Grand Prix of Germany.

Reigning world and European runner-up Kiril MILOV (BUL) will be seeded second at 97kg.

Tracy HANCOCK (USA) will be seeded third at 97kg. Hancock has competed seven times during this season and finished with at least a bronze medal at every tournament. The American won the Hungarian Grand Prix and Dave Schultz Memorial and finished in second place at three competitions -- including the Pan-American Championships and Pan-American Games. He also closed out the Grand Prix of Zagreb and Thor Masters with bronze medals.

The fourth-seeded wrestler at 97kg is returning world bronze medalist Mihail KAJALA (SRB).

Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) soared to the top seed at 130kg after winning a world title and continental bronze medal. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Semenov Soars to Top Seed at 130kg

Expected 130kg Top-Four Seeds
1. Sergey SEMENOV (RUS)
2. Adam COON (USA)
3. Minseok KIM (KOR)
4. Heiki NABI (EST)

Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) is the fifth Russian wrestler who owns a top seed at the World Championships. Since winning his first world title at last year’s World Championships, Semenov has competed twice and finished with bronze medals at both competitions. Those pair of bronze medals came at the European Championships and European Games.

Returning world silver medalist Adam COON (USA) is the second seed at 130kg. Though he won the Pan-American Championships, Coon finished in a disappointing eighth place at the Pan-American Games last month.

KIM Minseok (KOR) and Heiki NABI (EST) will be seeded third and fourth, respectively, at 130kg.

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 08:25 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 25) -- There were no surprises on day one of the second Ranking Series of the season as established starts made it to the top of the podium in Tirana.

The 2026 Muhamet Malo event began with six weight classes, 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg and 86kg with competition in the last weight class being most anticipated.

World champion at 79kg Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), former world champion Kyle DAKE (USA), world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and upcoming star Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) were all gearing up to claim the gold.

In the end, it was Kadiev who moved through a tough bracket to come out on top at 86kg and win his first significant senior medal to start his season.

Kadiev second bout pitted him against birthday boy Dake, who was making his international debut at 86kg. Dake managed to get control of Kadiev few times but failed to convert them into takedowns. Kadiev led 5-1 at the break, before a mini-comeback from Dake which saw the score change to 7-4. However, Kadiev switched levels in the final minutes and raced to an 11-4 victory.

Awaiting Kadiev in the semifinal was Dzhioev, who had defeated Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) in earlier rounds. Kadiev scored a takedown for two points before getting one more point for Dzhioev's passivity. The Azerbaijan wrestler managed to sore two stepouts in the second period but never finished his attacks as Kadiev hung on for a 3-2 victory.

Then came Kougioumtsidis who recovered from a disappointing Zagreb Open, where he lost in the first round, to reach the final in Tirana with three wins via technical superiority. He began well against Kadiev in the final with and led 4-2 but Kadiev locked the Greece wrestler in a lace to finish the bout 15-4.

Dzhioev and Dake clashed in the bronze medal bout and the former completed a 4-1 victory do deny Dake a medal on his 35th birthday.

Zavur UGUEV (UWW) scores a takedown on Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Uguev Keeps It Simple

World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) showed first signs of struggle in the final in an otherwise flawless performance as he captured the 61kg gold medal.

Uguev, who is also the European champion at 61kg, used the duck-unders to great effect, first against Simone PIRODDU (ITA) to win 10-0 and then to beat Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 7-1.

He faced a more stingy Austin DESANTO (USA) int the semifinals but managed to see him off 5-0, keeping his distance from the U.S. wrestler.

Perhaps that helped Uguev in the final as he felt the pressure from Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), especially in the final minute. He built a 3-0 lead and was avoiding getting into scramble when Tavitov managed to score stepout.

But Uguev challenged and won which removed the one point for Tavitov and gave him a breather. Soon after, Uguev attacked to get two points and extend his lead to 5-0. He gave up two points as well but managed to hold his lead and win 5-2.

The win also confirmed that Uguev will defend his 61kg title at the European Championships at the same venue in April.

"For me, this tournament was a wrestle-off," Uguev said. "The final is always tough. The strategy was to keep moving, attack, wrestle actively, with constant pressure. Some things worked, some didn’t. It was my first time facing him, he’s a worthy opponent."

Though he has not been at 57kg, the Olympic weight in which he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, since finishing fifth at the 2023 World Championships, Uguev said he hopes to win a second Olympic gold in 2028.

"Look at Abdulrashid SADULAEV! He still loves to wrestle. We talk a lot, and I find it very interesting," he said. "He doesn’t even think about stepping away from wrestling. Guys like him motivate me, and I am aiming for a second Olympic gold."

Spencer LEE (USA) scores a turn on Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Lee, Sujeet Repeat

At the season opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series, Spencer LEE (USA) and SUJEET (IND) won gold medals in contrasting styles. But in Tirana, both had similar runs as they repeated as champions at 57kg 65kg respectively. Both Lee and Sujeet won their respective four bouts via technical superiority.

Lee combined to outscore his opponents 49-8 while Sujeet made it 47-4.

Among the victims of Lee's incredible performance were former world bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) and Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW). Lehr went for double-leg blast right off the whistle to shock Lee with a four-pointer. But Lee remained composed and quickly finished the semifinal, 14-4, using a leg lace.

Gamzatov never seemed to trouble Lee who again managed an early finish, beating the UWW wrestler 10-0 with a gut-wrench.

SUJEET (IND) completes an attack against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sujeet warmed up with a 16-4 victory over Endrio AVDYLI (ALB), who tossed the Indian for a four at the start of the bout. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) fell next, 10-0, before Sujeet defeated Joseph MC KENNA (USA), 11-0, the same score line as the one in the semifinals of the Zagreb Open.

Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), who pulled off an incredible buzzer-beating four-pointer in the semifinals against Vitali ARUJAU (USA) to win 16-13, failed to put up a fight in the final. Sujeet laced him to win 10-0 to capture a second straight Ranking Series gold medal.

Kyrgyzstan and Iran captured gold medals as well with Asian champions Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Yones EMAMI (IRI) winning at 70kg and 74kg respectively.

Akmataliev had to dig deep in the final against Alec PANTALEO (USA) as he fell behind 2-1 with less than 30 seconds remaining. He had to score a reverse lift exposure for two points to lead 3-2 and then keep both his hands locked around the U.S. wrestler to avoid giving up a point for counter.

It was originally scored two points for each wrestler, giving Pantaleo a 4-3 win but Akmataliev challenged the decision and the two points for Pantaleo were removed, making the Kyrgyzstan wrestler a 3-2 winner.

Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) was not so lucky as Emami never gave any opening to him in the 74kg final. After getting the first point via activity clock, Emami scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-0 in the first period. There were no more points scored in the bout.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Spencer LEE (USA) df. Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW), 10-0

BRONZE: Horst LEHR (GER) df. Atish TODKAR (IND), 19-8
BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Akshay DHERE (IND), 9-2

61kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), 5-2

BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-0
BRONZE: Austin DESANTO (USA) df. Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 8-0

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), 10-0

BRONZE: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO), 7-0
BRONZE: Vitali ARUJAU (USA) df. Joshua KRAMER (ECU), 11-7

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Alec PANTALEO (USA), 3-2

BRONZE: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) df. Austin GOMEZ (MEX), via inj. def.

74kg
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 5-0

BRONZE: Quincy MONDAY (USA) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 9-
BRONZE: Inalbek SHERIEV (UWW) df. Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), via inj. def.

86kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 15-4

BRONZE: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM), 10-6
BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 4-1

Morning Session Highlight Below

16:30: 86kg semifinals - Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) overcomes his Zagreb Open disappointment and reaches the final after a 10-0 technical superiority over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ). He will face Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) for gold after Kadiev beat 3-2 over world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE). Kadiev scored a takedown and a point was added for Dzhioev's passivity. Dzhioev managed to attack Kadiev multiple times but failed to finish them and scored only two stepouts.

16:20: 74kg semifinals - Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two activity clock points against Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) to win 2-0. He will face Yones EMAMI (IRI) for the gold medal after the Iranian gets the win as Magomedrasul ASULEV (BRN) injures himself in the second period.

16:10: 70kg semifinals - ~~Kyrgyzstan with two heartbreaks in the semifinals as both Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) lose.~~ Scratch that because Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) with a comeback to beat Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ). He had 15 seconds to overturn a 9-5 deficit and he did in style. He scored a takedown and then hooked Aliyev's leg to turn and score four-points before giving up a takedown. All this in the last 15 seconds. Akmataliev wins 12-9

He will face Alec PANTELO (USA) who completed a 10-0 technical superiority win over Tabaldiev.

15:50: 65kg semifinals - Vitali ARUJAU (USA) comes out as the winner in an entertaining semifinal against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE). Arujau with a counter four-pointer to take an early 5-1 lead. Both then exchange a few sequences with Arujau scoring takedowns to lead 13-7 at the break. Babazade scored a takedown and turn to cut the lead to 13-11 before Arujau scores a go-behind to lead 15-11. Babazade hits another exposure to cut the lead to 15-13. Lovely wrestling from both with Arujau defending his lead. That is till the final second when Babdaze dumps him using a duck-under to arm-grab throw for four and wins the bout. A lost challenge from the U.S. makes it 18-15 for Babazade

U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) beats Joseph MCKENNA (USA), 11-0, in the other semifinal, his second win over the American in three weeks.

15:40: 61kg semifinals - Zavur UGUEV (UWW) makes it to the final at 61kg after a 5-0 win over Austin DESANTO (USA). He led 1-0 at the break after the American was put on the activity clock but goes takedown and turn in the second to win. For the gold medal, he will face Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) who defeated Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 8-5.

Tavitov comes out with a huge double-leg for four points to start his semifinal against Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) to lead 4-0. Abakarov scores a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2 but Tavitov with a takedown and two turns while trying to pin Abakarov to lead 8-2. Tavitov challenges asking for two more points but loses it. Abakarov has little more than one minute to overturn that 8-3 deficit. A late takedown from Abakarov but Tavitov will take the 8-5 win.

15:30: 57kg semifinals: Spencer LEE (USA) was stunned by a double-leg attack for four off the whistle by Horst LEHR (GER). But Lee quickly gathers himself. He scores a sweep single takedown for two before using the lace to win 14-4. He will face Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) for the gold medal after he manages to hang on for a 3-1 victory over Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE).

So far, Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), 11-4, at 86kg while Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) beat Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to set up a semifinal against Kadiev. Spencer LEE (USA), Zavur UGUEV (UWW), SUJEET (IND), Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), Yones EMAMI (IRI) have made it to the semifinals in their respective weight classes

15:15: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with another controlled win at 86kg, this time beating Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) 6-1 and advancing to the semifinals against Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE).

15:05: It was an 1-1 bout till five minutes but world champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) then uses a duck-under to dump Nathan TOMASELLO (USA) to lead 3-1. He then turns the American twice for two points each and win the quarterfinal, 7-1, and advance to the last four

15:00: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) moves into the semifinals at 86kg with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Christopher FOCA MEJIA (DOM). Variations of takedowns from Kougioumtsidis in that technical superiority win.

14:40: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) led 2-1, thanks to a takedown in the first period but world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) shifts gears in the second period and scores two takedowns, one stepout against Gamkrelidze's one takedown to win the 86kg battle, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals

14:25: Joseph MCKENNA (USA) denies world bronze medalist Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the 65kg quarterfinals. A takedown to begin with before McKenna scored a point via pushout. He defended his 3-0 lead to enter the semifinal

14:20: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) gives the home crowd more to cheer about as he rolls to a 10-0 victory over Leomid COLESNIC (MDA) and reach the semifinals at 61kg. Trap-arm gut from Abakarov to score his points

14:15: Spencer LEE (USA) recovers from an early four pointer from Robert DINGASHVILI (GEO) and completes a 15-4 victory at 57kg. Top class wrestling from the Olympic silver medalist as he moves into the semifinals

14:00: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) takes out Kyle DAKE (USA) at 86kg. Kadiev, a two-time U20 world champ at 79kg, clearly with the physical advantage over Dake as he manages to defend Dake's three times. Kadiev scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-1 at the break. Dake managed to score stepout but in one sequence, Kadiev scored two points via counter. He led 7-4 before finishing the bout 11-4, leaving a bad taste for Dake, who is celebrating his 35th birthday today

13:45: SUJEET (IND) with another technical superiority win at 65kg and he moves into the semifinals. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) had no answers to the pace of Sujeet who will now face the winner of Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) and Joseph MCKENNA (USA).

13:40: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) with a 3-1 victory over Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) who has moved up from 79kg. Dzhioev added a stepout to the two activity clock points he had.

13:35: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), world champion at 79kg but moving to 86kg, beats former U20 world champion at 79kg Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) 14-4 in his opening bout. It's only his second tournament at this weight class. He lost his opening bout at the Zagreb Open.

13:25: Austin DESANTO (USA) with another win at 61kg. He is happy to give a takedown with less than five seconds remaining to beat Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 3-2, in their 61kg bout.

13:20: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) moves into the 86kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 victory over ARYAN (IND). He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open. Can Gamkrelidze change it to gold this time?

13:03: World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) with a controlled 10-0 victory over Simon PIRODDU (ITA). Uguev scored a beautiful duck-under before throwing Piroddu for two points. Otherwise, Uguev seemed relaxed as he dictated the pace of the bout.

13:00: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) unleashes a furry of attacks but none successful as he drops his opening bout at 61kg against former world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 2-0. One stepout for Abakarov in the first period and another point when Abdullaev was put on the activity clock

12:45: Quick win for Spencer LEE (USA)! He scored a takedown against Ashish TODKAR (IND) and then turned him twice to lead 6-0. Todkar was about to get control but Lee escaped. Lee then leaps to complete another takedown and turn to win 10-0 at 57kg

12:30: Yones EMAMI (IRI) took his own time but he gets a 7-2 victory against William LEWAN (USA) at 74kg. A slow start to that match before Emami scored those points in that second period.

12:25: Quincy MONDAY (USA) beats Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 5-1, at 74kg. No openings for the crafty Bayramov in that match.

12:15: Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who has had steady improvement at 74kg, wins 3-1 against Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), was the U23 world champion at 70kg last year. He is most likely move down to 70kg for the European Championships

12:00: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) with five stepouts in that 7-2 victory over Oskonbai ABDISAMATOV (KGZ) at 65kg. Jalolov won bronze at the World Championships last year and then a silver at the U23 Worlds

11:50: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), who is at 70kg may be only for this tournament, drops his bout 4-3 against former world silver medalist and Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Ibragimov was leading 3-0 but gave up four points in the second period

11:40: Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ) with a four-point suplex over Islam DUDAEV (ALB) at 70kg to win 8-3. Dudaev led 3-3 on criteria but Aliyev got behind on the edge and slammed the home wrestler to take the win.

11:35: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) continues to impress at 86kg. He opens in Tirana with an 11-0 win over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), who seems to have hurt his leg after that leg-lace.

11:30: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with a 10-0 victory over Shane JONES (PUR) at 86kg. Quick win for him and he sets up the next match against Kyle DAKE (USA), who is making his 86kg debut internationally.

11:10: Zagreb Open champion Austin DESANTO ((USA) takes on Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world 57kg silver medalist, at 61kg. The Kyrgyz with a head-pinch four-pointer to open the scoring. DeSanto answers with a takedown and two turns before adding a stepout to lead 5-4. Almaz Uulu with another four-pointer but gets countered for two and the score is now 8-7 in favor of the Kyrgyz. Akmaz Uulu pressures DeSanto but fails to take him out and gives up a takedown as the American takes a 9-8 lead at the break. DeSanto gets the first score of the second period with a takedown and now leads 11-8. Another failed stepout attempt from Almaz Uulu but DeSanto with a counter takedown to lea d13-8. Failed challenge from Kyrgyzstan. DeSanto gives up a takedown and caution for fleeing but wins 14-11.

10:50: Vitali ARUJAU (USA), a world champion at 61kg in 2023, has moved up to 65kg. In his debut, he scored a convincing, 6-0, win over Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL). He is coached by USA and Cornell teammate John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) at this tournament.

10:35: Joseph MC KENNA (USA), at 65kg, with a quick win over Mohit KUMAR (IND). Three takedowns and two turns to complete a 10-0 victory.

10:15: The Muhamet Malo 2026 kicks off with six weight classes. Here's the preview of what to expect in Tirana -- read here

Nine European Wrestlers Garner Greco-Roman Top Seed Heading into Nur-Sultan

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold