#WrestleBelgrade

Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade

By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- Soon after Kyle SNYDER (USA) won his first world title in five years in Belgrade last year, his rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) was quick to react.

“You know who was absent there,” Sadulaev wrote on Instagram, pointing at his own absence from the World Championships. “My friend, I’m ready to give you another chance to become a real king in the 97kg weight class. Our viewers deserve the continuance of the story.”

A year later, there will be no absentees as Sadulaev was confirmed to compete at the World Championships in Belgrade. That means that Sadulaev will get a chance to reclaim his world title, currently held by Snyder.

The two will resume their rivalry this week and if the two actually meet on the mat, it will be their fifth bout. Sadulaev holds a 3-1 head-to-head record with his last win coming in the final of the Oslo World Championships in 2021.

Gable STEVESON (USA)Gable STEVESON (USA) is the only Tokyo Olympic champion not wrestling in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The build-up to the World Championship has been dominated by Freestyle line-ups with doubts over Gable STEVESON’s (USA) participation and the final call on the Individual Neutral Athletes. But the mystery was solved on Tuesday. Apart from Sadulaev, Olympic champions Zavur UGUEV (AIN) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) were also approved to compete in Belgrade. Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN) and Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) will also be at the tournament.

That makes Steveson the only Tokyo Olympic champion to not feature in the tournament as Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and David TAYLOR (USA) were already confirmed. Interestingly, all Olympic champs besides Taylor are unseeded, which means they will be drawn randomly and can may their arch-rivals in the first round itself.

While the inclusion of the AIN certainly brings more star-power to the mega event, the World Championships holds further importance as it will see close to 1000 wrestlers eyeing the 90 Paris Olympic quotas, divided equally among the three styles, on offer at the first qualifying event for the Games next year.

The team title race will also see the impact of the same as the U.S. tries to defend its first-place finish. With the AIN loaded with star power, U.S. will have to avoid any slip-ups. AIN will not be awarded any points in the team rankings at the World Championship but it can certainly derail the plans of other nations.

Given the benefits of wrestling in an Olympic weight class, wrestlers have squeezed themselves into the six Olympic weight classes, 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Out of the 368 wrestlers entered in Freestyle, 252 wrestlers are in these six weight classes with 86kg receiving the most entries — 52. In the non-Olympic weights, 61kg, 70kg, 79kg and 92kg, 116 wrestlers are entered with 70kg getting the most entries with 34 wrestlers.

Each Olympic weight class offers five Olympic spots and a wrestler can earn the same for the respective National Olympic Committee by winning one of the four medals. The fifth spot will be decided with a playoff between the two losers of the bronze medal bouts.

As far as storylines go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Taylor are expected to wrestle for the 86kg gold again while Snyder may face Sadulaev early at 97kg as the AIN wrestler is unseeded. Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) returns to international competition after two years but in his absence, a young star has emerged at 65kg -- world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) drops to 57kg with eyes on second straight world title but faces the likes of 57kg world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Olympic champion Uguev. Kyle DAKE (USA) will be looking to avenge his Olympic loss to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) but a much-awaited bout against Sidakov will be the highlight at 74kg. A three-way battle will ensue at 125kg as Taha AKGUL (TUR) looks to defend his title against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) and longtime rival Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Sadulaev’s return gives him a chance to win his sixth world title and be level with Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), the wrestler with the most world tiles among active members. But Snyder will look to deny him. The two met twice in two months in 2021 with Sadulaev winning both the encounters quite comfortably. That is not to say Snyder has not been up to the mark. In the five Olympic and World Championships finals since 2017 in which both Snyder and Sadulaev have participated, only once — 2019 — the two have not faced each other. The other four instances have been a bout for gold with Sadulaev winning three and Snyder one.

And even then, no love is lost between the two. Snyder visited Sadulaev’s native Dagestan and was seen meeting the latter’s family after a helicopter ride. The two have accepted being in touch despite not facing each other.

On the mat, Snyder, since becoming world champion, won the World Cup with the U.S., began this year with gold medals at the Zagreb Open and the Dan Kolov tournaments before winning the Pan-Am gold and the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest. Sadulaev, despite being away from international wrestling, continued his training, glimpses of which he posted on his Instagram. He recently posted that he is in the final phase of the preparation.

Snyder will have Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN) on his side of the bracket with Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) as they are seeded fourth and eighth respectively. Tazhudinov, who is coached by Sadulaev’s coach Shamil OMAROV, will be a test for Snyder if he can match the gas tank of the American.

Apart from Sadulaev, Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) will also be drawn at random. He almost defeated Snyder in Oslo before giving up a stepout in the dying seconds. Two veterans of the wrestling world, Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) will also be unseeded in Belgrade.

The other threats to Snyder and Sadulaev include European finalists Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO). Snyder was troubled by Matcharashvili in the first bout in Budapest with the American scrapping through a 3-2 win before winning the gold over Magomedov who pulled out injured.

Matcharshvili won the European gold over Magomedov this year after a late takedown gave him a 4-3 lead. Magomedov will hope to avenge that loss if the two meet in Belgrade.

If you thought Snyder-Sadulaev was the only high-profile rivalry in wrestling right now, you are wrong. Taylor and Yazdani have followed a similar path in their own rivalry which will resume in Belgrade as the two gear up for their fifth battle. Taylor leads the head-to-head 4-1 with his latest win coming over Yazdani in the final of the 2022 World Championship. In Oslo, Yazdani scored his first win over Taylor, which compensated, though very little, Yazdani’s heartbreaking Tokyo Olympic final loss to the American.

The two are evenly matched on the mat but Taylor holds a slight advantage with his superior gas tank. In all their meetings, Yazdani has been the aggressor, always ending the first period with a lead. But Taylor has somehow found a way to win. Remember his first win over Yazdani as he pinned the Iranian in the World Cup in 2018? The two have more or less managed to keep the same scoring pattern with Taylor scoring nine points in the previous two bouts against Yazdani’s seven.

The major difference in Yazdani’s tactics in Oslo and Belgrade was the use of underhook. Yazdani completely dropped the signature move in the first period of the Belgrade bout and when he tried in the second period, Taylor had soared ahead.

It looks unlikely that any other wrestler will be able to stop the two meet in the final. Bronze medalists from last year Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and Boris MOKAEV (SVK) can come close but have suffered huge losses against the two. But such been Yazdani and Taylor’s dominance that the two have shared the global titles at 86kg since 2017.

Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) and Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) are certainly medal contenders in Belgrade but they will have to navigate a field that also includes Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR).

The 2022 European champion lost to Dauren KURGULIEV (GRE) this year 3-1 but avenged his loss in Budapest to remain one of the top wrestlers at 86kg. He will be eyeing a second trip to the Olympics in Paris.

U20 world champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) is yet to make a mark at the senior level but the motivation to qualify for a home Olympics can certainly push the youngster for a medal.

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), Osman GOCEN (TUR) and Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) are also entered for the World Championships.

Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN)Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) is going for his third world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sidakov, Uguev face tough test
The late entry of Olympic champions Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Zavur UGUEV (AIN) has spiced up things at 74kg and 57kg respectively. The two have not competed internationally since winning the gold medal in Tokyo but will be the favorites for gold in their weight classes.

However, the run to gold won’t be a cakewalk.

At 74kg, four-time world and defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) will be the biggest hurdle for Sidakov. Wrestling fans have longed for a bout between the two of the most complete wrestlers in the world. While Sidakov works like a machine, Dake can switch levels at will. Their domination at this level makes it one of the most anticipated bouts.

However, Dake may be anticipating another bout altogether, that against Olympic silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) who mauled Dake in Tokyo. Being a gold medal contender in Tokyo, Dake was the favorite against Kadzimahamedau but lost 12-1, his only loss in the World Championships or Olympics. Sidakov too will be aware of Kadzimahamedau’s level and what he is capable of.

The fourth wrestler in the fray is Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who would like to make his third consecutive final, and perhaps win the title this year. His strong defense has been a problem for many but Dake has beaten him in both the finals the two met. Salkazanov can also upset Sidakov or Kadzimahamedau, but to do that, he would have to raise the level.

Though he has not been in a World Championships since 2019, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is known to be the guy with a surprise up his sleeve. Salkazanov has denied him for two consecutive years not but it would be foolish to think Chamizo can’t upset anyone. The crafty wrestler has all the skills to win and a pre-Olympic World Championships may push Chamizo to return to his old self.

Another top wrestler is Yones EMAMI (IRI) who belongs to cream at 74kg. He wrestled Dake in the semifinals last year and managed to shut down the American. However, he could not break Dake’s defense, losing 2-2 before winning a bronze medal.

Two veterans, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) are also in the mix. Demirtas is still searching for that gold while Abdurakhamanov is going for another run after winning bronze in Tokyo. The Uzbek tried moving to 86kg last year but returned to 79kg for the Asian Championships this year and is now at 74kg.

Young stars Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) will try to make a name for themselves in this World Championships. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), returning bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), local favorite Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) will also try to finish on the podium.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN)Zavur UGUEV (AIN) is returning to international competition for the first time since winning the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 57kg, Uguev will first have to battle his weight and step on the mat against a field that is nothing less than first-class. Uguev, who won the gold in Tokyo after beating Ravi KUMAR (IND) in the final, has been an absolute rock at 57kg over the years.

The biggest test for him in Belgrade will be Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who is returning to 57kg in a bid to win an Olympic gold medal. The 26-year-old won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and tried moving to 65kg for Tokyo. Once he failed to make it past the domestic level, he returned to 57kg but his battles with weight have been well documented. Higuchi won his first world title last year at 61kg which is a non-Olympic weight class.

Nothing will come easy for both Uguev and Higuchi as returning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) also looks to book his trip for the Olympics. Abakarov defeated Gilman with ease last year to become Albania’s first wrestling world champion.

Abakarov’s confidence may have taken a hit after he suffered a loss to Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the European Championships final but that was at 61kg. Both Abakarov and Harutyunyan have dropped to 57kg now.

Uguev will be on the lookout for Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) as well as he almost lost his first-round bout against Abdullaev in Tokyo if not for a last-second trip from Uguev to score a four-pointer. Abdullaev has struggled with weight but can do enough to be in the medal rounds.

Another wrestler who troubled Uguev in Tokyo was Thomas GILMAN (USA) but he won’t travel to Belgrade as Zane RICHARDS (USA) defeated him in the domestic qualifiers. Richards has a strong chain wrestling and while the U.S. style is familiar to most wrestlers in the world, Richards could be a surprise at 57kg.

European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) has taken big strides in his career but the World Championships will be his real test. Rzazade won the Zagreb Open to start the year and continued his good form by winning Euros in which he defeated Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 12-2 in the final. Asian champion AMAN (IND) is replacing Kumar and will get his first taste of the big league. He won the U23 World Championships but the Belgrade tournament is not a tournament of U23 level and that is putting it mildly.

Top seed Wanhao ZOU (CHN), Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ), Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Stevan MICIC (SRB) will also be in the mix.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will wrestle outside Japan after more than two years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Champ vs challengers
While Sadulaev, Sidakov, and Uguev were on a forced break, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), one of the most watchable wrestlers in the world, ironically, decided to be away from wrestling for a good year and a half since the Tokyo Olympics. He returned in December 2022 for Japan's first qualifier the 2023 World Championships. He won that and the second qualifier, the Meiji Cup, in June this year to confirm his Belgrade ticket. However, the champ looked a little rusty.

Otoguro, a world champion from 2018, will have to wrestle better than he did at the Meiji Cup, as any slip-up at 65kg could prove to be fatal.

Leading the challengers will be world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) whose strong underhook game can trouble Otoguro as the Japanese wrestler isn't the happiest being stuck in positions. The bout between the two can be a spectacle and worthy final, the two can meet early as well as Otoguro is unseeded while Amouzad is the top seed.

The only other Tokyo Olympic medalist at 65kg coming to Belgrade is three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) who hopes to finish his career with gold in Paris. But his recent losses at 65kg have cast doubts over his ability to challenge the young field at 65kg. Aliyev lost to Amouzad last year and later lost the bronze-medal bout to Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

And to think Muszukajev, a two-time world bronze medalist, will be a pushover is a crime. The style in which he doesn’t engage much with his opponent but attacks like a cat, when given open space, has given him fans around the world. But his struggle with conditioning is still an area of concern, especially in a weight class full of youngsters. Muszukajev also has a win over Otoguro, in the bronze-medal bout at the 2019 Worlds.

Another contender, perhaps for gold, is Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN), an extremely talented youngster who won the gold medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu. He had then expressed his desire to become the world champion. But that did not happen in 2022.

Mamedov will get that chance, incidentally in Belgrade, as he gears up for his first World Championships, perhaps the toughest in recent years. He will be backing himself to upset all the established stars and make a name for himself.

A true dark horse in this weight class is Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) who won bronze in 2021 and finished second to Amouzad in the Asian Championships this year. Tumur Ochir has troubled many this year using his underhook and strong build. But the World Championships will throw wrestlers of different styles who would have studied to break the Mongolian’s position.

Count on European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) as well. He missed out on a medal last year but Tevanyan has been improving, winning the U23 World Championships, Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, and European Championships. His style can frustrate a lot of wrestlers and if not engaged early, the Armenian can easily defend his lead.

Two-time world medalist Alejandro VALDES (CUB) is entered for Cuba as he tries to make it to Paris with the hope of winning his first Olympic medal. Uzbekistan has trusted Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) to do the job and the former U20 world champion has the ability but may lack the experience needed at this level.

The United States had John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the final last year but he lost to Nicholas LEE (USA) in the domestic qualifications. Lee will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders as he tries to win the Paris quota for the U.S., something it missed in Tokyo.

Another NCAA star Austin GOMEZ (MEX) will be representing Mexico at the World Championships and it will be interesting to see how he performs internationally. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) and Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) can be the party-spoilers for anyone.

The champ vs. challengers sub would have been more apt for 125kg had Steveson entered. But with him out, Taha AKGUL (TUR) will be challenged in Belgrade and Steveson’s much-awaited bout with Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) will have to wait.

Zare will have his task cut out if he wants to win a second-world title. He was well on course last year before losing in the semifinals against Akgul who looked a better wrestler than in the Olympics or the 2021 World Championships.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will have the same odds to win the title as Zare and Akgul as he chases his fourth in Belgrade. Petriashvili could have been the Olympic champion if not for Steveson to score a takedown literally in the final second.

The Georgian seems to have not put that loss behind as he lost tamely to Zare in 2021 and was stunned by MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 2022 semifinals. Munkhtur lost to Akgul in the final but the four are expected to be on the podium once again.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) was a gut-wrench away from beating Zare last year in Almaty, Masson PARRIS (USA) had pinned Zare in U20 World Championships while Zhiwei DENG (CHN) has been a solid 125kg.

These three wrestlers can cause problems for the top four who should also keep an eye on Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Daniel LIGETI (HUN), Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), Robert BARAN (POL) are also entered.

The non-Olympic weight class will also throw some once-in-a-lifetime battles.

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN)Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) is the favorite to win gold at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

61kg
It was one-way traffic in 2021 as Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) won gold at 61kg. It is expected to be the same as he returns aiming for his second world title.

Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Vitali ARUJAU (USA) could come close but unless everything works in their favor and Magomedov doesn’t really show up, it will be difficult even for returning silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI).

Zain RETHERFORD (USA)Zain RETHERFORD (USA) is the returning silver medalist at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

70kg
But the U.S. can still bank on Zain RETHERFORD (USA) to give them gold in one of the lower weight classes. The returning silver medalist will be pitted against bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Both lost to eventual champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at the World Championships last year. With the Japanese absent, Retherford will fancy his chances but so will Akmataliev who wrestled one of the most memorable matches against Narikuni in the semifinals.

But that’s what Akmataliev likes. The more his opponent attacks, Akmataliev will be counter and score big points.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will try to deny both Retherford and Akmataliev and win his world gold after finishing with a silver medal in 2021. Yazdani has been a mixed bag at the international level and has suffered losses along the way.

Evgenii ZHERBAEV’s (AIN) entry has certainly made the weight class even more interesting but a lot will depend on the bracket.

Ramazan RAMAZANOV (AIN), Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) will look to make some noise as well.

79kg
Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) denied him in two straight World Championships but Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) will be the favorite this year as Burroughs failed to make the U.S. team.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) defeated the six-time world champion in a best-of-three series to be in Belgrade. He will now try to stop Nokhodi. The two met in Budapest and Nokhodi dominated Marsteller.

However, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) can cause some trouble with his different style of wrestling which Nokhodi, 21, may not be aware of.

U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) and Ramazan SARI (TUR) will try to finish among the medals.

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was on his way to a third consecutive world title but two injuries in the space of two months meant that the Iranian superstar had to withdraw from the World Championships.

That meant J’Den COX (USA) would finally get the gold he was denied by Ghasempour in the last two years but Cox switched to 97kg but never made the U.S. team. The absence of the two big stars has thrown the 92kg weight class wide open.

Both bronze medalists from 2022, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) would feel that they can make the most of the situation and reach the final. Both have been consistent in 2023 and can make for a great final.

Vladislav VALIEV (AIN), a 2019 European champion at 86kg, will be a medal contender as well.

Iran is gambling with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), a regular at 97kg, who has been asked to drop down to 92kg as Iran tries to defend its team title.

Azarpira has won the age-group World Championships at 97kg but it will be too early to predict his performance at 92kg, especially after the weight cut.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) made the U.S. team and can use to his active wrestling to win his first world medal. But it won’t be easy against some of the best in the world and Valencia has to switch levels.

Two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated both Maisuradze and Nurmagomedov en route to the gold medal and will push himself to repeat and end up on the podium.

Two absolute hammers are 19-year-olds Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ). The two met in the final of the Asian Championships with Yoshida prevailing over Aitmukhan in what was his first international trip.

Aitmukhan was in the final of the U20 World Championships as well but finished with a silver medal. But both Yoshida and Aitmukhan can trouble the best in the business.

The World Championships will kick off on September 16 with Freestyle and will be live on UWW+ and FloSport for the U.S. audience.

#WrestleBelgrade

In World Championships of upsets, Cuba's Rosillo stuns Aleksanyan

By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 23) -- One night after seeing one of the sport's living legends suffer a shocking last-second defeat, it was deja vu all over again as unheralded Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) took down the titan Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM).

Rosillo stunned Aleksanyan and the wrestling world by scoring a takedown with 21 seconds left to deny the Armenian superstar a fifth world title, beating him 3-3 on last-point criteria in the 97kg final of Greco-Roman at the World Championships in Belgrade on Saturday.

"I trained well for these World Championships," Rosillo said. "I was thinking of winning the gold medal and trained so hard to get it."

The crowd at Stark Arena was earlier treated to a freewheeling display of big-throw wrestling in the 60kg final, in which Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) defended his title with a wild 11-6 win over Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and two-time former champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN).

Meanwhile, Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) won the gold in the non-Olympic weight class of 72kg, making him the fourth Greco world champion in French history and the first since 2014.

All medalists and the winners of a special fifth-place playoff in the Olympic weight classes secured qualifying spots at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The remaining quotas will be filled at the continental qualifiers and last-chance world qualifiers.

Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB)Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) scores the match-winning arm drag against Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

There could hardly have been more of a contrast between the competitors in the 97kg final. The 24-year-old Rosillo came into Belgrade with a 2019 world U20 title at the top of his resume, while Aleksanyan could boast an Olympic medal of every color to go with seven world medals.

The Cuban had lost in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics, where Aleksanyan had taken the silver medal, and in his only other appearance at a World Championships in 2019, he lost in the second round. Aleksanyan finished second in that tournament, too.

And Rosillo missed a year and a half in 2020 when he contracted both COVID and dengue fever and was burned in a fire at his home in Santiago.

"I had to make up for lost time," he said."I could do it with the help of the Cuban people and my coaches."

On Saturday night, Rosillo ignored the past and beat the odds, just as Amir MIRZAZADEH (IRI) did the night before. The Iranian scored a late stepout to stun the great Riza KAYAALP (TUR) for the 130kg gold.

But at least Mirzazadeh had been a past world champion himself; Rosillo had to punch well above his weight to pull this miracle off.

Rosillo received the first passivity point but could hardly budge Aleksanyan in par terre, and the outcome appeared inevitable when Aleksanyan scored a gut wrench from the top position in the second period to go ahead 3-1.

In his previous three matches, the 31-year-old Aleksanyan had immediately finished off a technical fall from par terre with four straight rolls. By only getting one off Rosillo, it kept the match going. Few would have ever foreseen what transpired.

With a half-minute to go, the two were jostling for wrist control when Rosillo suddenly hit an arm drag and took Aleksanyan to the mat for a takedown. When the whistle stopped the action with :08 on the clock, the stunned Aleksanyan was slow to get up, and Rosillo held on as time ran out on his historic victory.

Rosillo said his defeat in Tokyo provided a wake-up call. "I understood that I have to have a stronger heart and get better in each phase of the battle, and to never give up even when I feel tired," he said.

Regarding the ticket to Paris that comes with his remarkable run to the gold, he said, "My coach is expecting a lot from me. I know I still have to work hard on my stamina."

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), blue, won his second world title and denied Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) his third. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 60kg final, Sharshenbekov chalked up two 4-point moves in fending off the energetic Fumita in a match that saw 15 points put on the board in the first 90 seconds.

Fumita, who had to settle for a bronze medal in Belgrade last year after winning world titles in 2017 and 2019, had told the Japanese press after the semifinals that he was content with a "boring" style of wrestling.

But he reverted back to his big-throw ways when he attempted an arm throw in the opening seconds, only to see Sharshenbekov stuff it for 4. Fumita responded with a stepout, then connected on a 2-point throw.

Sharshenbekov, who won his second straight Asian title in April, got the picture and when the two locked up, he slammed Fumita to the mat for another 4-pointer, adding a gut wrench for 2. Fumita reversed to the back for 2, leaving him down 10-5. The two each had a stepout to make it 11-6 as the first period ended.

The fireworks of the first period were never reignited in the second as the two parried each other in a never-ending flurry of action. Fumita hit a couple of sweet arm throws, but Sharshenbekov was able to land on his feet to avoid giving up points.

"In recent years, my opponents have tightened their defense and been on their guard against me," Fumita said. "He was really like that. I made the attacks and he absorbed the blows. I thought that I had to keep attacking, even if it was all-or-nothing or not a very good attack. It made me realize that I have to have confidence in my style."

Sharshenbekov increased his stash of world medals to four, having finished second in both 2018 and 2021 before striking gold last year.

"It is wrong to say that I won the gold medal only by myself," he said. "The whole team worked hard for me to win this. I was ready. I saw the draw but didn’t care about my opponents. I was ready for everyone."

A year ago, Fumita was dealt a heartbreaking 5-5 loss in the semifinals by Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), who Sharshenbekov then proceeded to beat 11-2 to take the gold.

The two had met once previously, with the Japanese coming out on top 4-0 in the final of the 2020 Asian Championships. In that match, Fumita had scored off a counter for the decisive points.

Five months later they both advanced to the gold-medal match at the Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup in Warsaw, but the rematch never happened as Sharshenbekov defaulted due to injury.

"I wrestled Fumita in New Delhi and lost," Sharshenbekov said. "But three years have passed since then and I prepared for this. I have worked hard for this and I was able to win because of that."

Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) became the first world champion from France in nine years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 72kg, Ghanem finished second in Europe this year but now is on top of the world after posting a solid 3-0 victory in the final over 2022 European champion Robert FRITSCH (HUN). 

Ghanem, who lost in a bronze-medal match last year, moved straight to the top of the podium by gaining a passivity point in the first period and adding a snap-down-go-behind takedown in the second.

Fritsch tried to come back by securing a front headlock several times, but Ghanem squirmed out of the predicament and held on to become France's first Greco champion since Melonin NOUMONVI (FRA) triumphed at 85kg in 2014 in Tashkent.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) took the bronze medal and a Paris Olympic quota for Iran at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Saravi takes 2nd straight bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) found a place on the third-highest step of the podium for the second straight year by defeating teenager Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) 4-2 at 97kg.

Saravi, the 2021 world champion, scored a roll-off par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period, then added a stepout in the second to clinch a Paris quota for Iran.

Artur OMAROV (CZE) continued a run of third-place finishes this year, getting a gut wrench from par terre in the second period of a 3-1 victory over Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) in the other 97kg bronze-medal match.

Omarov came to Belgrade have placed third at the European Championships, the Ranking Series events in Bishkek and Alexandria, and at the Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup. It was the Czech Republic's first Greco-Roman medal at a World Championships since 2007.

Liguo CAO (CHN)Liguo CAO (CHN) defeated Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) 5-3 to earn a bronze medal and Paris 2024 quota for China at 60kg. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 60kg, Liguo CAO (CHN) finished off the winning takedown with two seconds left on the clock to stun Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) 5-3 at 60kg and add the world bronze to the Asian one he won earlier this year, plus an Olympic berth for China.

Gharibyan, the 2020 European champion, matched Cao with a passivity point and a roll from par terre to lead 3-3 on criteria. With time running out, Cao used an underhook to slip behind, then battled to get Gharibyan to the mat. The knee came down at the :02 mark.

Former Asian champion Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) won the other 60kg bronze with a hard-fought 3-3 victory over Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI).

The result and score were an exact repeat of the outcome of their semifinal encounter at the Bishkek Ranking Series event in June, in which Bakhramov went on to win the gold.

At 72kg, dethroned defending champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB) came out charging from the opening whistle and young Shingo HARADA (JPN) never knew what hit him, falling to a 9-0 technical fall in just 32 seconds.

Arsalan, looking a lot more energetic than he did at the end of his exhausting semifinal loss to Fritsch, blasted to a stepout just 10 seconds into the match, then on the restart, pancaked Harada onto his back for 4.

Scrambling onto the top, Arsalan never took his foot off the gas, reeling off two quick gut wrenches to end the match to the thrill of the home crowd and give the host nation its first Greco medal of the tournament and third overall. Arsalan competed for his native Iran up to 2021 before moving to Serbia.

Harada made his mark in his senior world debut, having rallied to beat 2022 silver medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) in the quarterfinals.

Selcuk CAN (TUR) picked up his second straight bronze medal at 72kg, getting the second passivity point in a 1-1 victory over Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) on last-point criteria.

Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI)Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) grapped the Paris Olympic quota for Iran at 60kg by winning the playoff. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Mohsen Nejad grabs Paris spot for Iran

Mohsen Nejad returned to the mat to give Iran its third berth in Paris of the four Olympic weight classes competed so far, defeating Gharibyan 7-0 in the fifth-place match at 60kg.

Mohsen Nejad, with the right shoulder that appeared to bother him during the bronze-medal match heavily taped, scored all of his points in the first period, gaining a stepout off a whizzer, shrugging Gharibyan by for takedown and adding a pair of gut wrenches.

There was little action from the exhausted pair in the second period and Gharibyan all but gave up the fight with plenty of time still on the clock.

Khaslakhanau claimed the other Paris quota up for grabs, uncorking a mighty 4-point throw in the second period that knocked the fight out of Venckaitis, who conceded the fall at 97kg.

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Greco-Roman

60kg (40 entries)
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), 11-6

BRONZE: Liguo CAO (CHN) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 5-3
BRONZE: Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df. Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), 3-3

5th-Place Playoff: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 7-0

63kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) vs. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE)

Semifinal: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Stefan CLEMENT (FRA), 3-1
Semifinal: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 4-1

67kg (41 entries)
GOLD: Luis ORTA (CUB) vs. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
 
Semifinal: Luis ORTA (CUB) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) by TF, 9-1, 3:19
Semifinal: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), 4-3

72kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Robert FRITSCH (HUN), 3-0

BRONZE: Selcuk CAN (TUR) df. Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL), 1-1
BRONZE: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) df. Shingo HARADA (JPN) by TF, 9-0, :32

87kg (42 entries)
GOLD: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

Semifinal: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) df. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) by Fall, 2:18 (5-3)
Semifinal: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) by TF, 10-0, 2:13

97kg (37 entries)
GOLD: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) df. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), 3-1

BRONZE: Artur OMAROV (CZE) df. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU), 3-1
BRONZE: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 4-1

5th-Place Playoff: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) df. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) by
Fall, (5-1)