WrestleTallinn

Susaki and Okuno Headline Junior World Championship Entries

By Eric Olanowski

TALLINN, Estonia (August 7) -- The 2019 Junior World Championships kick off Monday (August 12) in Tallinn, Estonia, and the pair of reigning two-time senior world champions Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Haruna OKUNO (JPN) headline an entry list of nearly 700 wrestlers from 62 nations. 

This will be Okuno's first trip to the Junior World Championships, but Susaki, who is looking for her seventh overall world title since 2014, will be joined by seven other reigning junior world champions. Women's wrestling returns four gold medalists from last year's Trnava World Championships, while freestyle has a trio of wrestlers looking for back-to-back titles. Finally, Turkey's Kerem KAMAL is the lone returning Greco-Roman junior world champion who is set to make the trip to Estonia.

In addition to the eight returning junior world champs, there will also be seven cadet world gold-medal winners from the 2018 season who are making the leap up to the junior level. 

Though the entries are not official until 24 hours before the start of the competition, here are the early entries for the 2019 Junior World Championships: 

(Reigning junior world champions are listed in bold)

57kg 
Vrezh GEVORGYAN (ARM)
Mahir MAMMADZADA (AZE)
Dzmitry SHAMELA (BLR)
Mehmed Hasan MEHMED (BUL)
Brayden Alexander TODD (CAN)
Weiyu LI (CHN)
Robert Tyson T LIKIAKSA (FSM)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO)
Horst Justin Junior LEHR (GER)
Ioannis MARTIDIS (GRE)
Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN)
Vijay Bajirao PATIL (IND)
Amir Aliakbar PARASTEH (IRI)
Tommaso FREZZA (ITA)
Toshiya ABE (JPN)
Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ)
Nurdoolot SHAILOOBEK UULU (KGZ)
Hyeonsu CHO (KOR)
Nicu CATAVEICA (MDA)
Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS)
Nino LEUTERT (SUI)
Ahmet DUMAN (TUR)
Kamil KERYMOV (UKR)
Vitali ARUJAU (USA)
Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB)

61kg
Mohamed Al Amine LAKEL (ALG)
Hrachya MARGARYAN (ARM)
Asgar MAMMADALIYEV (AZE)
Dzmitry PRYHOZHY (BLR)
Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN)
Jiayun HE (CHN)
Godefroid Kalombo KALUBI (COD)
David KOPRIVA (CZE)
Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO)
Nico MEGERLE (GER)
Esteban David PEREZ CASTELLANOS (GUA)
Ravinder RAVINDER (IND)
Mahdi Saeed SHIRAZI (IRI)
Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN)
Daulet TAZHIBAY (KAZ)
Tynchtyk ABASBEKOV (KGZ)
Sangboum HAN (KOR)
Leomid COLESNIC (MDA)
Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL)
David MISHEV (MKD)
Alik KHADARTSEV (RUS)
Muhammed Mustafa KELES (TUR)
Andrii DZHELEP (UKR)
Gabriel Robert TAGG (USA)
Firuz YOKUBOV (UZB)

Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), a 2018 cadet world champion, headlines the 65kg weight class. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

65kg
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
Dzianis SALAVEI (BLR)
Dimitar Atanasov ANGELOV (BUL)
Daniel Troy COLES (CAN)
Chao ZHENG (CHN)
Jordan Ngalula KABONGO (COD)
Fathi Tarek Fathi Attia ISMAIL (EGY)
Marwane Ahmed YEZZA (FRA)
Amiran VAKHTANGASHVILI (GEO)
Panagiotis IOAKEIMIDIS (GRE)
Sunny SUNNY (IND)
Amirhossein Azim MAGHSOUDI (IRI)
Kanta TOKURIKI (JPN)
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ)
Injong HWANG  (KOR)
Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA)
Tengis DARKHANBAYAR (MGL)
Fati VEJSELI (MKD)
Karol Jakub CZEGUS (POL)
Stefan Ionut COMAN (ROU)
Kurban SHIRAEV (RUS)
Ahmet Salim YIGIT (TUR)
Denys BOROHAN (UKR)
Yahya Abdullah THOMAS (USA)
Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB)

70kg
Abdelkader IKKAL(ALG)
Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE)
Aliaksandr KURYSHTA (BLR)
Jun ZHAO (CHN)
Kenfield K MIKE (FSM)
Otari BAGAURI (GEO)
Vishal KALIRAMANA(IND)
Mohmmadsadegh Biglar FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI)
Raul ZARBALIEV (ISR)
Ryo YONEZAWA (JPN)
Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ)
Alinur TAKIROV (KGZ)
Sangho HAN (KOR)
Pjotrs GOLUBEVS (LAT)
Vasile DIACON (MDA)
Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL)
Szymon WOJTKOWSKI (POL)
Alan KUDZOEV (RUS)
Mohamed SESAY (SLE)
Tobias PORTMANN (SUI)
Omer Faruk CAYIR (TUR)
Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR)
Brayton Edward LEE (USA)

Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) is one of three returning freestyle junior world champions. He'll wrestle at 74kg. Photo: Max Rose-Fyne. 

74kg
Ishak BOUKHORS (ALG)
Davit GEVORGYAN (ARM)
Simon MARCHL (AUT)
Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE)
Davud ALIZALAU (BLR)
Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN)
Peter Nkisi MUNDONGA (COD)
Saifeldin Shokry Mohamed Mahmoud ELKOUMY (EGY)
Jako KIVIMAEGI (EST)
Keanson A SIGRAH (FSM)
Goga MAMIAURI (GEO)
Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
Parveen MALIK (IND)
Mohammad Ashghar NOKHODILARIMI (IRI)
Jintaro MOTOYAMA (JPN)
Shynggys MUKHAMETKALIYEV (KAZ)
Baianas MAMASALI UULU (KGZ)
Jinwoo MOON (KOR)
Valentin BORZIN (MDA)
Bat-Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Jakub Patryk WLADCZYK (POL)
Devid BETANOV (RUS)
Abdulvasi BALTA (TUR)
Yevhenii DUBOVYI (UKR)
David Aaron CARR (USA)

79kg
Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG)
Arman AVAGYAN (ARM)
Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
Oktay Ruzhdi HASAN (BUL)
Carson Barry LEE (CAN)
Tanggesi TANGGESI (CHN)
Tony Bahati AROKA (COD)
Erik REINBOK (EST)
Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO)
Joshua Philipp David MORODION (GER)
Milan MESTER (HUN)
Sandeep Singh MANN (IND)
Abdollah Shahriar SHEIKHAZAMI (IRI)
Max KASPEROVICH (ISR)
Salvatore DIANA (ITA)
Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN)
Tilek KABYKENOV (KAZ)
Samatbek STANBEK UULU (KGZ)
Taegyu HWANG (KOR)
Cristian PRISACARI (MDA)
Cezary Marek SADOWSKI (POL)
Amkhad TASHUKHADZHIEV (RUS)
Foday KARGBO (SLE)
Omer Faruk KARADENIZ (TUR)
Valentyn BABII (UKR)
Aaron Marquel BROOKS (USA)


Deepak PUNIA (IND) returns to the Junior World Championships with hopes of imroving on his silver medal from last season. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

86kg
Mher MARKOSYAN (ARM)
Benjamin GREIL (AUT)
Magomed ASIYATILOV (AZE)
Aliaksei PARKHOMENKA (BLR)
Hunter Jeffery LEE (CAN)
Teng ZHAO (CHN)
Stallone Wadiayako SIBU (COD)
Vojtech PISKOR (CZE)
Nikita TSEHHONIN (EST)
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Lars SCHAEFLE (GER)
Gino Tanislado AVILA DILBERT (HON)
Milan Andras KORCSOG (HUN)
Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Sajjad Saeid HABIBIEHSANI (IRI)
Shai Shabtai SHOTASHVILI (ISR)
Shutaro YAMADA (JPN)
Abylay SOVET (KAZ)
Jeongwoo PARK (KOR)
Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT)
Ivan NEDEALCO (MDA)
Bilguun BAYARSAIKHAN (MGL)
Alik SHEBZUKHOV (RUS)
Mohammad Sardar TIMORI (SWE)
Cagri Can BAYRAM (TUR)
Hlib HRYNCHENKO (UKR)
Trent Niemond HIDLAY (USA)
Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB)

92kg
Thomas John Mcglinchey BARNS (AUS)
Askhab HAMZATOV (AZE)
Yaraslau IADKOUSKI (BLR)
Bozhidar Mateev TODOROV (BUL)
Julien CHOQUETTE (CAN)
Tuerdahen AYITUOLIEKE (CHN)
Aron Isomi MBO (COD)
Matous VONDAL (CZE)
Giorgi CHANKSELIANI (GEO)
Ertugrul AGCA (GER)
Richard VEGH (HUN)
Viky VIKY (IND)
Ali Reza Abbasali ABDOLLAHI (IRI)
Takumi TANIZAKI (JPN)
Kuanysh ZHUMASH (KAZ)
Wonhwy CHOI (KOR)
Gheorghe ERHAN (MDA)
Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL)
Machiel Johannes GROBLER (RSA)
Alan BAGAEV (RUS)
Polat POLATCI (TUR)
Vasyl SOVA (UKR)
Lucas John DAVISON (USA)
Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB)

97kg
Temraz ISMAYILOV (AZE)
Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR)
Ikjyot Singh RANDHAWA (CAN)
Reheman RUSIDANMU (CHN)
Yonger Pauli BASTIDA POMARES (CUB)
Kevin AAS (EST)
Givi GOGOBERISHVILI (GEO)
Artur VEGH (HUN)
Akash ANTIL (IND)
Abbas Ali FOROUTANRAMI (IRI)
Takuma OTSU (JPN)
Nurken KOBEISINOV (KAZ)
Mingi CHOI (KOR)
Radu LEFTER (MDA)
Haroon ABID (PAK)
Aslanbek GAZZAEV (RUS)
Viliam OROSS (SVK)
Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)
Danylo STASIUK (UKR)
Tanner Ryan SLOAN (USA)
Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB)

125kg
Hovhannes MAGHAKYAN (ARM)
Islam Aslangereyvic ABUEV (AZE)
Jackson Jerome SERNA (CAN)
Buheeerdun BUHEEERDUN (CHN)
Ahmed Mahmoud Elsayed Mohamed KHALIL (EGY)
Vasil KHVISTANI (GEO)
Vishal VISHAL (IND)
Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI)
Lior ALTSHULER (ISR)
Akiho MOR I(JPN)
Bakdaulet OSSERBAY (KAZ)
Aftandil BOLOTBEK UULU (KGZ)
Ki Bum KIM (KOR)
Gan Erdene SODBILEG (MGL)
Alen KHUBULOV (RUS)
Pasa Ekrem KARABULUT (TUR)
Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR)
Mason Mark PARRIS (USA)

Kerem KAMAL(TUR) is looking to win his third junior world title. He's the favorite to win the 60kg title. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Tigran MINASYAN (ARM)
Zaur ALIYEV (AZE)
Hleb MAKARANKA (BLR)
Baoyinjiya BAOYINJIYA (CHN)
Antonio Jordan RUIZ MORA (ECU)
Ahmed Fouad Fouad Hussein BAGHDOUDA (EGY)
Pridon ABULADZE (GEO)
Vijay VIJAY (IND)
Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI)
Ken MATSUI (JPN)
Nurzat KABDYRAKHIMOV (KAZ)
Nurmukhammet ABDULLAEV (KGZ)
Donghyeok WON (KOR)
Tuorki Ali M HAZOAZI (KSA)
Artium DELEANU (MDA)
Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS)
Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK)
Mukremin AKTAS (TUR)
Vladyslav KUZKO (UKR)
Dylan Allan RAGUSIN (USA)
Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB)

60kg
Mourtada NAANAA (ALG)
Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM)
Asgar ALIZADA (AZE)
Aliaksandr NIAHODA (BLR)
Alamusi ALAMUSI (CHN)
Moamen Ahmed Rabie MOHAMED (EGY)
Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)
Sachin RANA (IND)
Milad Ali REZANEZHAD (IRI)
Abere FETENE (ISR)
Kazuki YABE (JPN)
Olzhas SULTAN (KAZ)
Talastan KANZHARBEK UULU (KGZ)
Gunwoo PARK (KOR)
Gytis KULEVICIUS (LTU)
Ion BACALU (MDA)
Georgii TIBILOV (RUS)
Rasul ISRAPILOV (SUI)
Niklas Jan Olov Pontus OEHLEN (SWE)
Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM)
Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
Myroslav SOLOVIAN (UKR)
Mason Alan CARZINO HARTSHORN (USA)
Mukhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB)

Shahin Eidi BADAGHI MOFRAD (IRI), the 2018 cadet world finalist, will represent Iran at 63kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

63kg
Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG)
Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Zaur NURIYEV (AZE)
Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR)
Nikalas Petrov SULEV (BUL)
Delin WANG (CHN)
Godefroid Kalombo KALUBI (COD)
Markos TADOLDER (EST)
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Cristian Estuardo MEJIA TEPEN (GUA)
Tibor Sandor GYUERKY (HUN)
Pravesh PRAVESH (IND)
Shahin Eidi BADAGHI MOFRAD (IRI)
Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN)
Assaukhat MUKHAMADIYEV (KAZ)
Marlen ASIKEEV (KGZ)
Sangjun PARK (KOR)
Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU)
Kamil Aleksander CZARNECKI (POL)
Abu Muslim Aptievitch AMAEV (RUS)
Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR)
Dmytro MIROSHNYK (UKR)
Alston Jon NUTTER (USA)
Javokhirbek SAMATOV (UZB)

67kg
Kevin KUPI (ALB)
Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM)
Aker AL OBAIDI (AUT)
Adam HAJIZADA (AZE)
Eldar HASANAU (BLR)
Ivo Krasimirov ILIEV (BUL)
Xin HUANG (CHN)
Jordan Ngalula KABONGO (COD)
Denis MERTL (CZE)
Kristo VIIDAS (EST)
Elmer Joakim MATTILA (FIN)
Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO)
Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER)
Krisztian Istvan VANCZA (HUN)
Saurabh SAURABH (IND)
Mohammad Reza Hojatollah MOKHTARI (IRI)
Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA)
Gakuyo TAGUCHI (JPN)
Alikhan KOKENOV (KAZ)
Jaewon LEE (KOR)
Ahmed Fawzi M BARAHMAH (KSA)
Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU)
Valentin PETIC (MDA)
Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR)
Aleksander Juliusz MIELEWCZYK (POL)
Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS)
Luka GUMILAR (SLO)
Aleksa ILIC (SRB)
Michael PORTMANN (SUI)
Yan-Kai CHEN (TPE)
Lamjed MAAFI (TUN)
Abdul Samet BASAR (TUR)
Vladyslav KRAVCHENKO (UKR)
Peyton Louis OMANIA (USA)
Umidjon AKHROROV (UZB)

Hassan Hassan Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) was one match away from winning a junior world title last year. He's one of the favorites to make the finals again at 72kg. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne) 

72kg
Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM)
Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
Andrei SAMETS (BLR)
Guotao ZHANG (CHN)
Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO)
Hassan Hassan Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY)
Randel UIBO (EST)
Akseli Elias YLI HANNUKSELA (FIN)
Otar ABULADZE (GEO)
Erik LOESER (GER)
Georgios Theodoros SOTIRIADIS (GRE)
Gergely BAK (HUN)
Rahul RAHUL (IND)
Mohammadreza Mahmoud ROSTAMI (IRI)
Radik RAKHMATULIN (ISR)
Kaichi SUGAWARA (JPN)
Galymbek NURGALI (KAZ)
Bekzat MATKABYLOV (KGZ)
Jangsu CHO (KOR)
Deividas SUBOTKEVIC (LTU)
Anatolie POPOV (MDA)
Mihai PETIC (MDA)
Konrad Lukasz KOZLOWSKI (POL)
Vasile Alexandru DOSOFTEI (ROU)
Sergei STEPANOV (RUS)
Mohamed SESAY (SLE)
Elmaz HASANOVIC (SRB)
Rasmus Lilleman AASTROEM (SWE)
Daler REZA ZADE (TJK)
Ismail GUN (TUR)
Ihor BYCHKOV (UKR)
Tyler Adam EISCHENS (USA)
Alijon KHUSEYNOV (UZB)

77kg
Vahe POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Nasir HASANOV (AZE)
Mikita KAZAKOU (BLR)
Teodor Chavdarov DOMOZINOV (BUL)
Bahetijiang KELAN (CHN)
Peter Nkisi MUNDONGA (COD)
Jan CYMOREK (CZE)
Ranet KALJOLA (EST)
Nika SHERBAKOVI (GEO)
Tamas LEVAI (HUN)
Sajan SAJAN (IND)
Mohammad Aziz NAGHOUSI (IRI)
David ZHYTOMYRSKY (ISR)
Amane SHIMOYAMADA (JPN)
Leonid PROSKUROVICH (KAZ)
Azamat ZHAMGYRCHY UULU (KGZ)
Hyeonjin KANG (KOR)
Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU)
Exauce MUKUBU (NOR)
Patryk Adam BEDNARZ (POL)
Damir RAKHIMOV (RUS)
Foday KARGBO (SLE)
Andrija Luka MALETIN (SRB)
Mats Ola Lukas AHLGREN (SWE)
Bing Hong LIN (TPE)
Abdurrahman KALKAN (TUR)
Dmytro VASETSKYI (UKR)
Jack Butch ERVIEN (USA)
Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB)

82kg
Fadi ROUABAH (ALG)
Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM)
Maksim BANDARENKA (BLR)
Zahari Rosenov ZASHEV (BUL)
Fabian Patricio CASTILLO PAVEZ (CHI)
Talimubieke AYIDINGBIEKE (CHN)
Tony Bahati AROKA (COD)
Karlo KODRIC (CRO)
Hans Uku LEITHAM (EST)
Otto Eemeli KETONEN (FIN)
Beka GURULI (GEO)
Lucas Alexandros LAZOGIANIS (GER)
Ilias PAGKALIDIS (GRE)
Istvan TAKACS (HUN)
Sanjeet SANJEET (IND)
Hosein Jahanbakhsh FOROUZANDEH GHOJEHBEIGLOU (IRI)
Satoki MUKAI (JPN)
Stanislav RYLSKIY (KAZ)
Jihyeok SONG (KOR)
Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL)
Nicolae POPA (ROU)
Aues GONIBOV (RUS)
Klemen PODGORELEC (SLO)
Toyly ORAZOV (TKM)
Dogan KAYA (TUR)
Vitalii ANDRIIOVYCH (UKR)
Zachary Kyle BRAUNAGEL (USA)

Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), a 2018 junior world bronze medalist, is the lone returning world medalist entered at 87kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

87kg
Hakob BAGHDASARYAN (ARM)
Lachin VALIYEV (AZE)
Ihar YARASHEVICH (BLR)
Mariyan Iliyanov MARINOV (BUL)
Han LEI (CHN)
Stallone Wadiayako SIBU (COD)
Filip SMETKO (CRO)
Andreas VAELIS (EST)
Juho Matias PAHIKAINEN (FIN)
Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO)
Nikolaos PAPADOPOULOS (GER)
David LOSONCZI (HUN)
Kumar SUNIL (IND)
Hasan Jahanbakhsh FOROUZANDEH GHOJEHBEIGLOU (IRI)
Ryohta NASUKAWA (JPN)
Meirbek KORDABAY (KAZ)
Meder ABYKEEV (KGZ)
Temirlan SHERALI UULU (KGZ)
Hyeonsu KANG (KOR)
Piotr CHUDZIK (POL)
Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS)
Christian Max ZEMP (SUI)
Jacob Edward LOGAARD (SWE)
Dovran DOVLETGELDIYEV (TKM)
Bedirhan TAN (TUR)
Valentyn SHKLIARENKO (UKR)
Cameron Andrew CAFFEY (USA)

97kg
Markus RAGGINGER (AUT)
Khayal MEHTIYEV (AZE)
Uladzislau PUSTASHYLAU (BLR)
Houzhi HAO (CHN)
Aron Isomi MBO (COD)
Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB)
Richard KARELSON (EST)
Lasha TVILDIANI (GEO)
Patrick NEUMAIER (GER)
Apostolos Panagiotis TSIOVOLOS (GRE)
Alex Gergo SZOKE (HUN)
Deepanshu DEEPANSHU (IND)
Abolfazl Naser SEYEDMAHDAVI (IRI)
Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN)
Islam UMAYEV (KAZ)
Jeongyul KWON (KOR)
Ibrahim Mohammed M FALLATAH (KSA)
Arnoldas BARANOVAS (LTU)
Gerard Cyprian KURNICZAK (POL)
Karen TATEVOSOV (RUS)
Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR)
Oleksandr YEVDOKIMOV (UKR)
Nicholas Allen BOYKIN (USA)
Ismail ASANOV (UZB)

130kg
Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE)
Mikita KAVALSKI (BLR)
Diego Jesus ALMENDRAS RODRIGUEZ (CHI)
Lu ZHANG (CHN)
Marcel ALBINI (CZE)
Youssef Ahmed Hamdy Aly ISSA (EGY)
Uku LAIK (EST)
Robinzon ESADZE (GEO)
Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE)
Dariusz Attila VITEK (HUN)
Aawesh AAWESH (IND)
Aliakbar Hossein YOUSOFIAHMADCHALI (IRI)
Shoma SUZUKI (JPN)
Konstantin RAKHIMOV( KAZ)
Minjoon KIM (KOR)
Nikola MILATOVIC (NOR)
Tomasz Jacek WAWRZYNCZYK (POL)
Ciprian Ilie TRUFAN (ROU)
Marat KAMPAROV (RUS)
Muhammet Hamza BAKIR (TUR)
Vladyslav KOVALENKO (UKR)
Cohlton Michael SCHULTZ (USA)
Ilyosbek GULOMJONOV (UZB)

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) enters the Junior World Championships searching for her seventh world title since 2014. She'll wrestle at 50kg. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne) 

Women's Wrestling 

50kg
Shahana NAZAROVA (AZE)
Natallia VARAKINA (BLR)
Alexia Adeline Devalmont SEAL (CAN)
Yuhong ZHONG (CHN)
Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU)
Hala Wael Imbabi AHMED (EGY)
Polina SAHNO (EST)
Taru Marketta VAINIONPAEAE (FIN)
Lisa ERSEL (GER)
Neelam NEELAM (IND)
Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA)
Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Ayaulym TUGANBAYEVA (KAZ)
Jinhee KIM (KOR)
Maria LEORDA (MDA)
Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL)
Amanda TOMCZYK (POL)
Stefania Claudia PRICEPUTU (ROU)
Daria KHVOSTOVA (RUS)
Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE)
Sarra HAMDI (TUN)
Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR)
Mariia VYNNYK (UKR)
Alleida MARTINEZ (USA)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)

53kg
Yuliya ZHAUNERYK (BLR)
Mariela Zhelyazkova ZHELYAZKOVA (BUL)
Meiduolaji MEIDUOLAJI (CHN)
Pooja POOJA (IND)
Haruna OKUNO (JPN)
Assylzat SAGYMBAY (KAZ)
Yeji MIN (KOR)
Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL)
Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU)
Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS)
Angelica Mingyue ZETTERVALL (SWE)
Rahime ARI (TUR)
Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR)
Gracie Marie FIGUEROA (USA)
Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)

Saki IGARASHI (JPN) is one of two Japanese wrestlers looking to win back-to-back junior world golds. (Photo: Gabor Martin) 

55kg
Darya SINKAVETS (BLR)
Sezen Behchetova BELBEROVA (BUL)
Virginie KAZE GASCON (CAN)
Antonia Alejandra VALDEZ ARRIAGADA (CHI)
Silangwangmu SILANGWANGMU (CHN)
Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER)
Anna Hella SZEL (HUN)
Anju ANJU (IND)
Saki IGARASHI (JPN)
Sandugash DYUSSENGALIYEVA (KAZ)
Eunyoung PARK (KOR)
Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA)
Enkhtsetseg BATBAATAR (MGL)
Patrycja GIL (POL)
Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS)
Ya Ling PENG (TPE)
Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR)
Veronika RYABOVOLOVA (UKR)
Alexandra Wray HEDRICK (USA)

57kg
Maryia HULIDA (BLR)
Ana Luiza PEREIRA FRANCA (BRA)
Tanya Dobromirova TENEVA (BUL)
Jolie Donna Elizabeth BRISCO (CAN)
Youmei WU (CHN)
Bharti BAGHEL (IND)
Akie HANAI (JPN)
Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ)
Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ)
Magdalena Urszula GLODEK (POL)
Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS)
Ozge FINDIKCI (TUR)
Alina AKOBIIA (UKR)
Cameron Jaylynn GUERIN (USA)

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is searching for her second world title. She'll wrestle at 59kg. (Photo: Marion Stein)

59kg
Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR)
Emma Janelle PARKER (CAN)
Zhuomalaga ZHUOMALAGA (CHN)
Maria Victoria BAEZ DILONE (ESP)
Anne Beatrice NUERNBERGER (GER)
Erika BOGNAR (HUN)
Anshu ANSHU (IND)
Morena DE VITA (ITA)
Sae NANJO (JPN)
Dariga ABEN (KAZ)
Nazira MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ)
Hwa Young SUNG (KOR)
Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
Angelika Agnieszka MYTKOWSKA (POL)
Kristina MIKHNEVA (RUS)
Elmas CELIK (TUR)
Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR)
Michaela Hope BECK (USA)

62kg
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR)
Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
Yaru WU (CHN)
Tiia Triin TOMSON (EST)
Radhika RADHIKA (IND)
Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN)
Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ)
Haeyeong IM (KOR)
Alina Aleksandra ANTIPOVA (LAT)
Irina RINGACI (MDA)
Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Magdalena Weronika KISIELINSKA (POL)
Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS)
Cansu AKSOY (TUR)
Antonyna KULAHINA (UKR)
Alara Lea BOYD (USA)
Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB)

65kg
Jeyla NAGHIZADE (AZE)
Hanna SADCHANKA (BLR)
Katie Nichole MULKAY (CAN)
Yue ZHANG (CHN)
Nerea PAMPIN BLANCO (ESP)
Viktoria VESSO (EST)
Noémi SZABADOS (HUN)
Tina TINA (IND)
Elena ESPOSITO (ITA)
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)
Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
Chaewon LEE (KOR)
Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL)
Amina Roxana CAPEZAN (ROU)
Daria BOBRULKO (RUS)
Hsin Ping PAI (TPE)
Yagmur CAKMAK (TUR)
Oksana CHUDYK (UKR)
Macey Ellen KILTY (USA)
Dinora RUSTAMOVA (UZB)

Khanum VELIEVA(RUS) has a shot at winning her third consecutive junior world title. She'll compete at 68kg. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

68kg
Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR)
Thamires MARTINS MACHADO (BRA)
Siyka Todorova IVANOVA (BUL)
Berit Ilise Musey JOHNSON (CAN)
Xin LI (CHN)
Marta PAJULA (EST)
Tuende Emese ELEKES (HUN)
Priyanka PRIYANKA (IND)
Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN)
Gulsezim BUKHAYEVA (KAZ)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
Jisu KIM (KOR)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
Ewelina Weronika CIUNEK (POL)
Khanum VELIEVA (RUS)
Tindra Linnea SJOEBERG (SWE)
Kadriye AKSOY (TUR)
Khrystyna MALIAVKA (UKR)
Jayden Leigh LAURENT (USA)

72kg
Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR)
Shuiyan CHENG (CHN)
Johanna MEIER (GER)
Anshu GUJJAR (IND)
Yuka KAGAMI (JPN)
Gulnaz ZHAPPAROVA (KAZ)
Dokyung (Hyerim) YUN (KOR)
Khulan TSERMAA (MGL)
Kamila Czeslawa KULWICKA (POL)
Maria larisa NITU (ROU)
Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS)
Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK)
Merve PUL (TUR)
Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)
Alyvia Nicole FISKE (USA)
Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB)

76kg
Kseniya DZIBUK (BLR)
Dejah Aniela SLATER (CAN)
Qian JIANG (CHN)
Milaimys de la Caridad MARIN POTRILLE (CUB)
Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER)
Bernadett NAGY (HUN)
Karuna KARUNA (IND)
Eleni PJOLLAJ (ITA)
Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN)
Alexandra ZAITSEVA (KAZ)
Soeun KIM (KOR)
Raivita TIMOFEJEVA (LAT)
Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU)
Marina SUROVTSEVA (RUS)
Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE)
Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR)
Romana VOVCHAK (UKR)
Korinahe Jacquia BULLOCK (USA)
Mukhlisa NORMUMINOVA (UZB)

Click HERE for the full 2019 Junior World Championships schedule. 

2026 Muhamet Malo

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

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)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)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)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