Susaki storms to third world gold at 50kg

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 - 20:27 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (Sept. 14)--Yui SUSAKI (JPN), taking the international stage for the first time since her Olympic triumph last year, picked up right where she left off. Confident, cat-like quick and as dominant as ever.

Susaki stormed to her third world title with a first-period fall over Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) in the 50kg final on Wednesday, the first of four women's finals on the fifth day of the World Championships in Belgrade.

"I'm really happy I could be at a tournament again on this stage," said Susaki, who added to the world golds she won in 2017 and 2018. "This is a tournament where I knew I could become the world champion if I went into each and every match looking to have fun and give my all while doing my wrestling. I think I achieved my objective, so I have a good feeling."

Powerhouse Japan got a second gold later in the night when Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) upgraded the silver medal at 65kg that she won a year ago in Oslo, while Olympic bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won her second world title at 76kg and unheralded Dominique PARRISH (USA) emerged victorious from a wide-open field at 53kg in her senior world debut.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) pinned Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) in the 50kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andoonov)

Susaki, who has yet to lose to a non-Japanese opponent in her career, ravaged the field with four wins by either fall or technical fall, naturally without conceding a point. Showing her ability to adjust on the fly, she prevailed in the final despite not being able to secure a tackle or her trademark lace lock.

Susaki gained two points against 2021 bronze medalist Dolgorjav with a front headlock roll, which she then transitioned into an exposure situation that put the Mongolian onto her back. Applying the pressure, the fall came in 1:24.

"I summoned my courage and wanted to go on the offensive, so it was good that I was able to do that," Susaki said.

Susaki takes her most recent triumph with a grain of salt, as some of her fiercest rivals were missing from the competition, most notably four-time Olympic medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and Asian rival Yanan SUN (CHN).

"Stadnik, Sun Yanan, the ones I faced in the Olympics didn't enter, so I definitely wanted to win in a dominant way and take the title," she said. "The fact that I achieved that, it was a good tournament leading to the Paris Olympics."

As much as fans have come to expect Susaki to be dominant, she again claimed that she can achieve an even higher level. "I realized several things here, and I want to get back to Japan soon and start practicing to get stronger," she said.

Asked what part of her game she needs to address, Susaki replied: "Tackling is my strong point. I need to find a way to break through when the opponent ties up, so I can get in on more tackles and that will lead to more points. So I want to work on that."

Having graduated from Waseda University last March, Susaki was presented with an ideal environment that allows her to pursue the sport full-time in her bid for an Olympic repeat in Paris in 2024.

Susaki became an "employee" of Kitz Corporation, a major valve-maker located in her home prefecture of Chiba. That allows her to train full-time, mostly at the National Training Center, where she was a product of the JOC Elite Academy. It has also expanded her already swollen fan base.

"This time, I was supported by my company Kitz," Susaki said. "Since finishing college and joining Kitz, the number of people supporting me has increased. That has given me energy and gives me a reason to work hard. I am even more motivated to get stronger."

For those who can't get enough of the 23-year-old dynamo, they won't have to wait long to see her in action. She plans to enter the World U23 Championships next month in Spain, with the mission of securing a historical victory.

"The U23 title is one I don't have yet," she said. "I'm not sure, but I think I would be the first to win the five titles of world cadet, junior, U23 and senior and the Olympics. I want to do that. Next month, I will prepare earnestly to get stronger and win it."

Susaki has been beaten only three times since junior high school, and all by the same opponent, Yuki IRIE (JPN). One of those losses kept her from defending her world title in 2019, and she, like all of Japan's Olympic medalists, skipped the 2021 tournament.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) shoots for Jia LONG (CHN) leg in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Morikawa picked up Japan's fourth women's gold of the tournament by holding on for a 2-0 victory over Jia LONG (CHN) in a 65kg final that left her a mixture of happy and disappointed.

In what could be regarded as a de facto Asian final -- China skipped this year's Asian Championships, where Morikawa won the gold -- the Japanese prevailed by scoring a stepout and an activity point in the first period.

"As far as the way the match went, I’m not very satisfied," Morikawa said. "To win the gold and not give up a point was good. But overall, it was really poor. I feel I'm still lacking ability. I give myself a 50 [out of 100]."

Morikawa will also be in Pontevedra, Spain, for the World U23, where she will bid farewell to the 65kg class as she decides which Olympic weight class to move into, most likely 68kg.

"My goal is to take a lap [on the mat] with the Japanese flag at the Paris Olympics," she said.

Morikawa certainly has a positive support system. She trains at her alma mater of Nippon Sports Science University, from which she graduated in March and often practices with men and one of her coaches is four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN).

Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won her second world title at 76kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 76kg final, Adar was holding her own against a tough Samar HAMZA (EGY) when she unleashed a 4-point front headlock with :10 left to put an exclamation point on a 6-0 victory.

"I am very, very happy, I can not put it into words," said Adar, who won her fifth European title earlier this year. "I am an idol in women's wrestling in Turkey and that makes me proud, there will be many good wrestlers after me and if I can be an example, it makes me proud. This is my second world title, I had promised my family that I will bring the belt home."

Adar received an activity point in the first period, then scored a stepout in the second. As Hamza went in for a desperate tackle, Adar hit her big move. Hamza, who became Egypt's first-ever female to make a world final, will take home the silver to go with the bronze she won last year in Oslo.

Dominique PARRISH (USA) celebrates after winning the 53kg world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Parrish was trailing 2-2 on criteria when she avoided a trip by Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) and slipped around the back for a takedown and a 4-2 victory.

"I know that nobody is going to outgas me," said Parrish, who was at the Tokyo Olympics as a training partner. "Before the finals, I was telling myself, no fear, fast feet, active hands. Definitely, when I stepped on that mat, I was not scared. I knew it was going to be tough but having the freedom to let myself go."

In the mixed zone, Pan Am champion Parrish addressed the elephant in the room -- the absence of 2021 world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who was a late withdrawal from the tournament after suffering a foot injury in practice.

"The next two years, she is the target," Parrish said. " They [Japan] are always the target for the women's team. Not that any country is not, but Japan is always disciplined in its stance and techniques. We are going to pick them apart and beat them."

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) wrestles Emilia VUC (ROU) in the 50kg bronze medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Hildebrandt survives mat scare to take bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) had a scary incident that seemed to leave her momentarily unconscious but managed to come back to defeat Emilia VUC (ROU) by a 10-0 technical fall in 5:40.

Hildebrandt, the 2021 silver medalist, scored all of her points with takedowns. It was after the second one that Vuc applied a vicious front headlock and turned Hildebrandt over. But when the American was unresponsive, the referee stopped the match as her coach leaped to the mat to assist her, bringing a hush to the Stark Arena crowd.

After a few tense minutes, Hildebrandt said she was alright to continue. Vuc lost her points for the dangerous hold, and Hildebrandt gained another takedown before the break. She then got two more in the second period to end the match and add to her two world silvers.

The other 50kg bronze went to Anna LUKASIAK (POL), who came up with a 2-point exposure as she was receiving an activity point with :20 left to edge Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) 3-2.

Ecuador had two chances to win its first-ever world medal, but both Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) at 53kg and Genesis REASCO (ECU) at 76kg were denied.

Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) gave up two quick-fire takedowns to Yepez Guzman, but after stopping a roll attempt for two, she locked onto the laces and three rolls one way and two more the other gave her a 14-4 technical fall in 1:44.

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) defeated European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) to win the 53kg bronze medal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The other 53kg bronze went to eight-time Asian medalist Vinesh PHOGAT (IND), who put up a stiff wall of defense and scored on counters against European champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE). Phogat also scored on the two occasions when she went on the offensive to notch an 8-0 victory to add to the world bronze she won in 2019.

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) spoiled the Ecuadorian party when she scraped out a 4-0 victory over Reasco. Kagami, the 2019 world junior champion making her senior debut, got a stepout, activity point and a defensive takedown in the first period, then held off Reasco to add another medal to the Japanese tally.

The other 76kg bronze went to Epp MAE (EST), who scored a stepout with :27 left to defeat 2018 world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN) and secure her fifth career world medal.

At 65kg, the United States got another bronze when Mallory VELTE (USA) routed Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) 11-2 for her second world medal, while Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) edged Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) 3-2 for her third.

Amit ELOR (USA) reached the 72kg final in her first senior appearance. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Teen Elor joins elite American compatriots in finals

In the semifinals held earlier in the night session, teenager Amit ELOR (USA) stunned defending champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) 3-2 to join two of her highly decorated compatriots in the finals held Thursday night.

The 18-year-old Elor, coming off winning a second straight world U20 title a month ago in Sofia, scored a first-period takedown, then added a second-period activity point. Furuichi finally got the takedown she so desperately sought with :05 left but had insufficient time to turn her.

"I was just like, is this real?" Elor said. "I was waiting for this, but it’s not over until tomorrow night."

Elor said she stuck with the game plan that gave her wins in her first two matches by technical fall and fall. "My style is putting a lot of pressure and not giving my opponents any space," she said. "It was close but in the end, it worked out."

In the final, Elor will face last year's runner-up to Furuichi, Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), who had a pair of 4-point moves in powering to a 12-2 technical fall over Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in 3:55.

Elor's victory came after current and former world champions Helen MAROULIS (USA) at 57kg and Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) at 68kg booked their spots in the finals by bringing their bouts to early ends.

"It’s really inspirational, but it’s also very stressful that I am on their level," Elor said.

Japan had wrestlers in all four semifinals, but only prevailed twice -- and those two face the daunting task of taking on Maroulis and Mensah Stock in the finals.

At 57kg, defending champion Maroulis will aim for a fourth world gold when she takes on Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), the 55kg champion a year ago in Oslo. She moved up to the Olympic weight class to get an early start on challenging Tokyo champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) for a spot at Paris 2024.

In the semifinals, Maroulis used an ankle pick to send 2021 bronze medalist Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) to her back and secure a fall at 5:20. Sakurai, this year's Asian champion, had little trouble in disposing of Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) by 10-0 technical fall in 4:47.

Maroulis has a long history of facing the Japanese in big matches. She shocked three-time Olympic champion Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) in the final at the 2016 Rio Olympics in what proved to be Yoshida's final match of her career. Five years later at the Tokyo Olympics, she fell to Kawai in the semifinals and had to settle for a bronze medal.

At 68kg, Olympic champion Mensah Stock swept away 2021 world 65kg champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) and will next face teenager Ami ISHII (JPN) in a bid to add to the world title she won in 2019.

Mensah Stock scored three takedowns, getting between the legs on the second one to add a pair of exposures, and cruised to a 10-0 technical fall in 2:29. Ishii, like Elor a gold medalist at the world U20 last month, needed a late takedown to edge Nisha DAHIYA (IND) 5-4.

At 59kg, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) failed to join Ikuei University teammates Ishii and Sakurai in the finals when she dropped a 7-5 nail-biter to Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), who used her long limbs to her advantage.

Nichita led 4-1 when Motoki, another world U20 champion last month, roared back with a takedown and roll to go ahead. But Nichita managed to reverse Motoki to her back at the end of the roll, putting her ahead 6-4. An unsuccessful challenge of a last-second stepout attempt added the final point.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Nichita suffered a heartbreaking loss in the quarterfinals, when Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) hit a last-second 4-point lateral drop for a 6-3 victory.

In the final, Nichita will face Grace BULLEN (NOR), who assured herself a first world medal in four attempts when she forged out a 5-3 win over Jowita WRZESIEN (POL).

Day 5 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (22 entries)
Gold - Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) by Fall, 1:24 (4-0)

Bronze - Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Emilia VUC (ROU) by TF, 10-0, 5:40
Bronze - Anna LUKASIAK (POL) df. Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR), 3-2

53kg (23 entries)
Gold - Dominique PARRISH (USA) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), 4-2

Bronze - Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) df. Emma MALMGREN (SWE), 8-0
Bronze - Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) by TF, 14-4, 1:44

57kg (19 entries)
Semifinal - Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) by Fall, 5:20 (7-1)
Semifinal - Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) by TF, 10-0, 4:47

59kg (14 entries)
Semifinal - Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), 5-3
Semifinal - Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), 7-5

65kg (14 entries)
Gold - Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Jia LONG (CHN), 2-0

Bronze - Mallory VELTE (USA) df. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), 11-2
Bronze - Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 3-2

68kg (23 entries)
Semifinal - Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Nisha DAHIYA (IND), 5-4
Semifinal - Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) df. Irina RINGACI (MDA) by TF, 10-0, 2:29

72kg (14 entries)
Semifinal - Amit ELOR (USA) df. Masako FURUICHI (JPN), 3-2
Semifinal - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) by TF, 12-2, 3:55

76kg (25 entries)
Gold - Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Samar HAMZA (EGY), 6-0

Bronze - Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. Genesis REASCO (ECU), 4-0
Bronze - Epp MAE (EST) df. Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 2-1

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 3 FS 65kg, 97kg and WW 55kg, 59kg Highlights

Monday, September 15, 2025 - 08:39 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 15) -- The World Championships day three will see the start of Women's Wrestling in Zagreb. Two weight classes -- 55kg and 59kg -- will be in action. Freestyle will continue in 65kg and 97kg with two Olympic champions in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

65kg semifinals
SF 1: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs Piabani (CAN)
SF 2: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Umidjon JALALOV (UZB)

14:56: Peiman BIABANI (CAN) comes back from a 2-0 down to beat Andrii BILIICHUK (UKR) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Biabani scored three stepouts and a takedown to take the lead and held on to it to win the quarterfinals.

14:55: SUJEET (IND) gave it all against Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg quarterfinals but Amouzad got a takedown in the final 20 seconds to be safe. Amouzad scored four stepout to lead 4-0 but struggled with conditioning. Sujeet scored a takedown and stepout to make it 4-3. Needing only one to win, Sujeet committed to a far leg attack and Amouzad countered with a takedown to make it 6-3. Sujeet scored a takedown with 4 seconds on the clock but could not get one point for the win. Amouzad reaches semifinal with a 6-3 win.

14:52: Olympic champ Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) fires out at the gun in his 65kg quarterfinal against Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), grabbing a single leg, snatching the other ankle and going straight to a lace-lock roll. The action, however, is so fast he is given just 2 points, which proves enough as he fends off Ibragimov to post a 3-0 victory. Kiyooka's final point came on an unsuccessful challenge after the buzzer when Ibragimov's side tried to get the Japanese penalized for fleeing, but the judges ruled he properly defended.

14:51: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) breaks open a close match with a pair of takedowns in a 20-second span of the second period, then holds on for a 5-3 victory over Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) to advance to the 65kg semifinals. Jalolov held the criteria advantage after both had received an activity point, but scored a takedown at with 1:20 left, then added another a short time later. Rivera picked up a takedown with :22 to go, but it was too little, too late.

55kg semifinals
SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs. Kyong Ryong OH (PRK)
SF 2: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) vs. Andreea ANA (ROU)

14:41: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) uses her lace to great effect to deny any comeback from Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) in the 55kg quarterfinals. Oh manages to go past Kamaloglu 14-7

14:40: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) reaches the 55kg semifinals after beating Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) 10-5. It was a takedown masterclass from Uchida who led 8-0 before Khomenets had a big four pointer. But Uchida kept her cool and managed to win 10-5.

14:39: Andreea ANA (ROU) runs 2022 world bronze medalist Karla GODINEZ (CAN) out of the ring in the final minute for a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on, putting her into the 55kg semifinals with a 3-1 victory. Each wrestler had received an activity point, with the Canadian holding the last-point criteria.

14:39: European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) scores three takedowns, which is enough to trump the 4-point takedown that Yaynelis SANZ VERDECIA (CUB) chalked up and temporarily put her in the lead. Verbina walks away with a 6-4 victory in the 55kg quarterfinal, in which all of the points came in the first period.

59kg semifinals
SF 1: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) vs. Sakura ONISHI (JPN)
SF 2: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) vs. Maria VYNNYK (URK)

14:30: Elena BRUGGER (GER) and Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) trade takedowns in the second period but Brugger leads 3-3 on criteria with a 2 minutes left. She makes it 5-3 with a takedown before two lace turns make it 9-3 with 1 minute left in the match. BUT TOGTOKH WITH A BIG MOVE AND FALL! She beats Brugger despite the latter leading 9-5 and advances to the 59kg semifinals.

14:26: After spotting Bediha GUN (TUR) a four-point lead, Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) comes back to go ahead on criteria in the second period, only to fall behind again. But Beauregard comes up with a late takedown to win 6-6 on criteria and earn a spot in the 59kg semifinals.

14:25: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) hits the move of the day in the women's competition, tossing Othelie HOEIE (NOR) for 5 with a high-amplitude back suplex en route to a 11-0 victory to advance to the 59kg semifinals.

14:20: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with an inside trip and the fall over Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) after a 12-0 lead. She advances to the 59kg semifinal and a step closer to the first senior world title. She is a two time world U20 champion, the second coming just a month ago in Samokov, Bulgaria.

97kg semifinals
SF 1: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) vs Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)

14:15: Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) survives a huge scare against Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg quarterfinals. Kurbanov threated to run away with it when he began with two stepouts to lead 2-0. He made it 4-0 with a takedown but Tazhudinov got going in the second period with a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2. He used a front headlock move to score six more points to lead 8-2. A challenge, which was lost, from Kurbanov made it 9-4. But Kurbanov got a breather and then got a takedown to make it 9-6. In the final 15 seconds, he managed a front chestwrap exposure but Tazhudinov got a reversal as the score changed to 10-8. Tazhudinov gave up a stepout but still managed to win 10-9.

14:10: Young Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) puts on an impressive display of power, scoring five stepouts in bulling to a 6-2 victory over Olympic silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) to advance at 97kg. Yoshida's other point came on a rare reversal after he gave up a takedown. That sets up a rematch with Snyder of their semifinal encounter at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February won 5-5 by the Japanese.

14:09: Kyle SNYDER (USA) provides no openings for Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) in their 97kg quarterfinal as the seven-time world medalist post a workmanlike 5-0 victory comprised of a takedown, two stepouts and an activity point.

14:05: The first semifinalist at 97kg is Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) who beats VICKY (IND) 10-0 in 3:30. A blast double in that match from Azarpira for four points.

13:55: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) spends much of his 65kg match trying to chase down the elusive Ayub MUSAEV (BEL), but he manages to snatch an ankle enough to score three takedowns, with one thigh-lock roll added in for a 9-4 victory. There was one lapse of caution, when Kiyooka was thrown for 4 on a counter lift, but was otherwise in no danger.

13:40: Real WOODS' (USA) got on point in his match against Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and that was for a lost challenge from the Iranian. Otherwise, Amouzad showed why his underhooks are lethal, scoring 10 points from the move to win 12-1. A stepout and point for lost challenge from the United States were the other two points.

13:36: Three-time former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) chalks up a 4-point move in the first period and two stepouts in the second and she's through to the 55kg quarterfinals with a 6-3 victory over 2024 world U20 champion Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA).

13:35: World silver medalist Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO) to secure his place in the 65kg quarterfinals.

13:28: SUJEET (IND) with a typical hard-working win over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) at 65kg. A lot of stepout given up by a tired Kim. Sujeet into the quarterfinals.

13:25: Asian champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) looks like one to beat at women's 55kg as she storms to a 12-2 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) to advance to the quarterfinals. Oh has a reply to all of Samoil's counter moves, and her victory in 2:36 includes a 4-point takedown off a double leg.

13:25: European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) with a fall over veteran Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT) at 55kg. Verbina is looking to win a first world medal at the senior level and she looks good to do it.

13:13: World silver medalist Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) warms up with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Hyerim LEE (KOR) at 55kg. Khomenets is looking find her old form after returning from an injury.

13:12: Less than a month after winning a second straight world U20 gold, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) begins her quest for a title in her senior world debut with a 10-0 rout of Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) at 59kg.

13:09: European champion and Olympic silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) eases by Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) 4-0 in his opening match at 97kg as he looks to improve on his two career world bronze medals. A takedown in the first period and activity points in each half were all he needed.

13:10: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) holds on to her 8-4 lead and beats NISHU (IND) at 55kg to advance to the quarterfinals at the World Championships. This is her debut at the senior level

12:59: Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), looking to give Japan a rare medal in the upper weights, continues his run with a 10-0 victory over Ertugrul AGCA (GER) at 97kg. Yoshida, whose father is Iranian and runs the kids club in Japan where he started the sport, scores a takedown and lace-lock roll in the first period, then finishes up the match with three takedowns in the second.

13:00: Pyol HONG (PRK) and Elena BRUGGER (GER) waited and waited for some action. Brugger took a 2-1 lead when Hong was on the second activity period and did not score. In the final 10 seconds, Hong locks Brugger's arms and throws her for two points and wins 3-2. Germany challenges the call. There was no danger for Brugger in that throw and the scores are reversed to 2-1 and a victory for Brugger at 59kg.

12:53: In a contentious match at 97kg that included penalty points and a dressing down of both wrestlers from the match chairman, Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) comes away with a 6-3 victory over Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL).

12:42: Kyle SNYDER (USA), a 10-time world and Olympic medalist, begins his quest for an 11th one with a 10-0 victory over Cristian SARCO (VEN) at 97kg. He missed out on a medal in Paris, the first World or Olympics since 2015 that he failed to win a medal.

12:40: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), competing internationally for the first time since his triumph at 65kg at the Paris Olympics -- with a new, braided hair style -- opens with a 13-2 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN). It is Alibegov who strikes first, surprising the Olympic champion with a quick double-leg takedown. But Kiyooka replies with a single-leg takedown, then transitions to his patented thigh-lock with the head between the legs and rolls twice for a 6-2 lead. He adds a stepout before the buzzer. Kiyooka stays on the attack in the second period and gains a takedown and two traditional lace-lock rolls to end the match in 4:59.

12:32: Paris Olympic and 2023 world bronze medalist Sebastien RIVERA (PUR)appears to wake up after giving up an early stepout to Chouaib SAHRAOUI (ALG) at 65kg. He comes back with a takedown, then goes on a gut wrench spree to make it 12-1, at which point Sahraoui throws in the towel and it officially goes into the books as a fall at 1:57.

12:30: World and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) faces Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) in his first match at 97kg. He begins with a takedown and stepout to lead 3-0. A blast double for four to make it 7-0. Two points for exposure to make it 9-0 before he finishes the match with a stepout.

12:29: Budpest Ranking Series champion SUJEET (IND) storms out to a quick 6-0 lead against Cavit ACAR (TUR) at 65kg, but it suddenly begins to evaporate as Acar scores a pair of defensive exposures and the exchange reversals. That puts Sujeet up 7-5 at the break. But he pulls away in the second period, with a 4-point takedown when Acar attempts a reverse counter lift and an unsuccessful challenge gives Sujeet a 15-5 win.

12:25: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) was leading 5-0 but Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) hit a takedown and rallied a leg-lace to win to win 16-5. Tevanyan seems in some trouble with his knee. Armenia challenges and the last turn is removed. But down 14-5, Tevanyan managed only three more points as Kudiev wins 14-8.

12:18: Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) wastes little time in getting his campaign for a second career world gold at 65kg off to roaring start, using a 4-point takedown to finish off a 13-0 whitewash in just under two minutes. over Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ).

12:15: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) controls his bout against Gantulga BATBAATAR (MGL) throughout the six minutes to win 12-0 and advance at 65kg. Ibragimov is trying to win his first world medal

11:54: Real WOODS (USA) gives no chance to Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) in his 65kg opening bout. Woods with a gut-wrench to rack up those points but he wins 11-0

11:38: A victory for the Philippines. In a battle between wrestlers from countries trying to develop the sport, American-born Arian CARPIO (PHI) defeats Victoria CHHEN (AUS) 7-0 to advance at women's 59kg. Carpio, who competed for the U.S. until 2019, scores a takedown-lack lock combination and stepout in the first period, then caps the win with a second-period takedown.

11:35: Seems like Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) has recovered from an ankle injury she picked at the U20 World Championships. She starts her 55kg campaign with a 10-0 victory over Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)

11:20: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) matches 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) with an activity point and stepout, but both of his come in the second period and that gives the Iranian a 2-2 victory on last-point criteria at 97kg.

11:20: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), a world 55kg champion in 2019, moved up to 59kg for this World Championships but Hong LIANG (CHN) shows Winchester that there are different levels to this. She pins Winchester

11:14: Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) picks up a first-period fall against Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU) at 97kg, a weight class that is absolutely packed

11:10: In the first of many high-profile matchups to come in the super-stacked 97kg division, 2023 world 92kg champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) gives up a takedown and the lead with just under two minutes left to Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), the 2021 silver medalist at 92kg. But Aitmukhan gets behind off a scramble with :48, then adds a stepout. But a second apparent stepout with :08 left is overturned on challenge and awarded to Kurbanov, suddenly giving him a 4-4 lead on criteria. A last-ditch challenge at the end is denied, giving Kurbanov a 5-4 win.

10:58: Asian bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) gets a first-period takedown and that holds up for a 2-0 victory over Junsik YUN (KOR) to clear his first hurdle at 65kg.

10:50: A match marred with multiple medical timeouts, Olympic bronze medalist and world silver medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) has to be carried off the mat after he called for an injury. Magomedov and VICKY (IND) battled it out and the India wrestler led 5-0 before Magomedov woke up. The score was 9-7 with Vicky leading but Magomedov scored a takedown and turn to lead 11-9. But he failed to recover for a restart and the match was decided with Vicky as winner.

Susaki storms to third world gold at 50kg

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World Championships 2025 Day 3 FS 65kg, 97kg and WW 55kg, 59kg Highlights