Tanabe joins Olympic medalist dad as national champion

Thursday, December 21, 2023 - 17:16 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (December 21)--Almost 27 years to the day after his father won his first national championship in the same arena, Kaisei TANABE made his first trip to the top of the podium. Next up will be trying to equal, or better, that Olympic medal.

Tanabe scored a pair of second-period takedowns to defeat Nippon Sport Science University teammate Yuto NISHIUCHI 6-2 in the final of freestyle 61kg on the opening day of the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on Thursday in Tokyo.

With the victory, Tanabe and his father and coach Chikara, a bronze medalist at 55kg at the 2004 Athens Olympics, became the sixth father-son tandem of national champions in the tournament's 90-year history .

"My father has a bronze medal from the Athens Olympics, I want to do better than that," the 21-year-old Tanabe said.

Naturally, it was a proud moment for dad, too. "I'm more happy than if I won," Chikara said. "When I was also in my third year of college, I won my first All-Japan title. My son now won in his third year of college, so he has caught up to me. Next it will be great if he can get an Olympic medal."

While Kaisei will have to wait for the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the earliest to realize his Olympic dream, for others the tournament is also a qualifier for the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in April in Bishkek in weight classes in which Japan has not already secured a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the non-Olympic weights, a title earns a ticket to the Asian Championships to be held a week earlier in the Kyrgyzstan capital. As in recent years, the competition in non-Olympic weights is being completed in a single day, while the Olympic divisions are over two days.

JPN1 Kaisei TANABE scores a late takedown in the freestyle 61kg final against Yuto NISHIUCHI. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

In the 61kg final at Yoyogi Gym No. 2, Tanabe sandwiched a pair of stepouts around a takedown by Nishiuchi to trail 2-2 on criteria going into the second period. But he gained a go-behind takedown to go ahead, then added another in the final seconds to secure the title in his third appearance.

"In the final the opponent was strong, so I wasn't so concerned with how I did it, I just wanted to win," Tanabe said. "But I want to fix those points for my next competition. We practice every day so we both know each other well. I think the difference between us is I have more power, and I wanted to take advantage of that."

Although two years Tanabe's junior, Nishiuchi has already had more international success. This year he dropped down to 57kg and won his second straight world U20 gold and finished second at the Zagreb Open. Tanabe was a world cadet (U17) bronze medalist in 2017, but did little else until this year, when he took third at the Dan Kolov-Nikolai Petrov Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, which included a win over Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA).

"In the lighter weights, Japan has many strong wrestlers and there are good ones overseas as well," Tanabe said. "I want to get to their level and, if possible, pass them."

Japan has already qualified for the Paris Olympics in freestyle at 57kg, which meant Tanabe could have made a challenge for the open spot at 65kg, where Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO is favored. That's what his main college rival Masanosuke ONO of Yamanashi Gakuin University opted to do, but Tanabe thought the timing was wrong.

"Up to now I've never really done anything at the All-Japan, and I was determined to win a championship so I entered at 61kg," he said.

To get to an Olympics, he knows he will eventually either have to go up or down a weight class. Asked which way he was leaning, "I'm not very good at controlling my weight, so I want to bulk up and become a competitive wrestler at 65kg," he said, adding he has not decided when he will make such a move.

The Tokyo-born Tanabe started wrestling at age 4, and he described his father as "a nice father and a tough coach." Growing up, Tanabe did not gain inspiration from Chikara's Olympic medal--in fact, he never really saw it. "He didn't win [the gold], so the medal was never on display," he said.

Tanabe's older sister, Yumeka, is also an accomplished wrestler who was a two-time world cadet champion. But four third-place finishes at the All-Japan kept the home from having a father-daughter pairing of national champions, like that of the great Saori YOSHIDA and her late father Eikatsu.

Chikara, who won the last of his five national titles in 2003, sees potential in Kaisei. "I wrestle with him and I can feel his power," he said. "From here, he'll keep improving going toward the Olympics. I want him to set a high goal."

JPN3 Shingo HARADA flips over Tomohiro INOUE to finish up a title-winning victory at Greco 72kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Harada follows up strong showing in Belgrade

In other finals, Shogo HARADA followed up his eye-catching performance at the World Championships with a title at Greco 72kg in his All-Japan debut, thumping veteran Tomohiro INOUE 9-0 in the final.

After scoring a takedown and 2-point tilt to go ahead 4-0, Harada slammed down Inoue to finish off the match with six seconds left in the first period.

The 23-year-old Harada, who switched from judo to wrestling in high school, made his international debut at last year's worlds in Belgrade and turned heads by placing fifth. While still an amazing feat, it left him rueing that he could have done more.

"At the World Championships, I didn't put out all of my power and I lost in the semifinals," Harada said. "I took that back home and reflected on what happened. I found I was too impatient. I think I've improved on that little by little."

At the moment, Harada says he is not yet at the level of domestic competition in the Olympic weight classes both above and below him. "I won this title, but deep down, I'm not yet at the top level in Japan looking at the weight classes around me." he said.

The 36-year-old Inoue said the loss likely marks the end of a career that featured five national titles dating back to 2012, with the most recent in 2021. It also included a silver medal at this year's World Veterans Championships.

While the loss was one-sided, it only makes a difficult decision a little easier. "If it was a closer match, it might have been tougher to take," he said.

JPN5 Ayano MORO gets behind in the women's 72kg final against Sumire NIIKURA. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

In a battle of a pair of 2022 women's champions, teenager Ayano MORO dropped down to 72kg and dethroned two-time reigning titlist Sumire NIIKURA 6-0.

The 18-year-old Moro twice gained 2-point exposures on counters to add to the title she won at 76kg last year. "I wasn't able to get in on my tackle, which is my strong point, so honestly speaking I'm not so happy," she said.

Moro's chances of making the Paris Olympics ended when the 2020 world U20 champion lost a world team playoff to Yuka KAGAMI, who then clinched her ticket to Paris by winning the gold at the World Championships.

"In December last year at the Emperor's Cup, I entered at 76kg with the goal of the Olympics," she said. "At that time I won the title which was good, but I hurt my shoulder. But I had won, so I had no choice but to keep aiming for the Olympics, although I later lost.

"Now the Olympics is no longer an objective. I had a lot of time to think. Looking at my height and other things, I thought it would be best to drop down, which would allow me to do my tackles. I thought I would give going down a weight class a try."

Moro said that neck problems followed her shoulder injury, keeping her from being in top condition for the tournament. She said she will work to get ready for her senior Asian debut.

"The wrestlers from other countries are strong and I've been to enough international tournaments to know I can't take it lightly," Moro said. "My first priority will be getting healthy. You can't win if you don't practice, but first I need to get my body back in shape."

In the other final, Kagetora OKAMOTO became a first-time champion by beating Kohei YAMAGIWA 6-4 at Greco 55kg. Okamoto made the final by knocking off 2022 world U20 bronze medalist and 2023 world team member Taiga ONISHI.

JPN4 Takahiro TSURUTA works to turn Yuta NARA in the Greco 97kg semifinals. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

The three upper Olympic weights in Greco got the process started to see who will be going to the Asian Olympic qualifier, with the lone surprise coming at 97kg when Takahiro TSURUTA knocked off six-time champion Yuta NARA 3-1 in the semifinals.

"Since I moved up to this weight class, I've been in three tournaments with him, but we never faced each other," Tsuruta said. "Even if I win the title, if I didn't face him I would have felt like something was missing."

Tsuruta, an Asian Games bronze medalist this year, will take on world U23 bronze medalist Yuri NAKAZATO on Friday for the gold and a chance to make the Olympics.

Tsuruta and Nakazato are familiar with each other. When Tsuruta moved up from 87kg in 2021, he promptly won his first and only title with a victory in the final over Nakazato, who knocked off Nara in the semifinals. Nakazato avenged the loss in the final at the Meiji Cup in June 2022, only to see Tsuruta come back and beat him in a playoff for the world team that year.

Meanwhile, world U23 champion Yuzuku INAGAKI, who lost out to Paris-bound Sakura MOTOKI for a place on the Japan team to the World Championships at women's 62kg, will have to get by another Motoki to add to the lone title she won in 2018.

Inagaki overwhelmed Suzu SASAKI by 10-0 technical fall to set up a clash in the final with Motoki's younger sister Hiyori, who is still looking for her first career title at any level. The two met in the first round at the national collegiate championships in August, with Inagaki scoring a first-period fall en route to a third straight title.

It could be said that the de facto final came in the quarterfinals, when Inagaki was trailing on criteria when she scored two late takedowns to defeat 2020 Asian champion Naomi RUIKE 6-2.

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD--Kaisei TANABE df. Yuto NISHIUCHI, 6-2

BRONZE--Kodai OGAWA df. Takumi YOSHIMURA, 3-0
BRONZE--Kosei IDE df. Takara SUDA, 6-5

Semifinal--Yuto NISHIUCHI df. Kodai OGAWA, 6-1
Semifinal--Kaisei TANABE df. Takara SUDA by TF, 11-1. 5:24

74kg
Semifinal--Kojiro SHIGA df. Daiju SUZUKI, 14-6
Semifinal--Kota TAKAHASHI df. Shoto KANEKO by TF, 10-0, 2:56

125kg
Semifinal--Taiki YAMAMOTO df. Ryusei FUJITA by TF, 10-0, :46
Semifinal--Koki YAMAMOTO df. Yuji FUKUI, 5-0

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD--Kagetora OKAMOTO df. Kohei YAMAGIWA,. 6-4

BRONZE--Taiga ONISHI df. Kenta OGUSU, 9-4
BRONZE--Soken MASUDA df. Seima TOKUHARA, 7-3

Semifinal--Kagetora OKAMOTO df. Taiga ONISHI, 5-2
Semifinal--Kohei YAMAGIWA df. Soken MASUDA, 11-9

72kg
GOLD--Shingo HARADA df. Tomohiro INOUE by TF, 9-0, 1:54

BRONZE--Daigo KOBAYASHI df. Sanshiro ISHIHARA by Fall, 2:34 (5-0)
BRONZE--Akira MITAMI df. Ryoma TOYOTA, 3-2

Semifinal--Shingo HARADA df. Sanshiro ISHIHARA by TF, 11-0, 2:45
Semifinal--Tomohiro INOUE df. Akira MITAMI, 5-3

87kg
Semifinal--So SAKUBE df. Minto MAEDA, 3-1
Semifinal--Masato SUMI df. Tatsuya FUJII, 5-1

97kg
Semifinal--Takahiro TSURUTA df. Yuta NARA, 3-1
Semifinal--Yuri NAKAZATO df. Masayuki AMANO by TF, 11-0, 1:34

130kg
Semifinal--Sota OKAMURA df. Kyo KITAWAKI by TF, 9-0, 1:55
Semifinal--Shion OBATA df. Yuma MIYAUCHI, 7-1

Women's Wrestling

53kg
Semifinal--Rino KATAOKA df. Mako ONO, 1-1
Semifinal--Mihoko TAKEUCHI df. Chiaki KAWAI, 6-4

62kg
Semifinal--Yuzuka INAGAKI df. Suzu SASAKI by TF, 10-0, 1:57
Semifinal--Hiyori MOTOKI df. Kiwa IWASAWA by Fall, 1:37 (4-0)

72kg
GOLD--Ayano MORO df. Sumire NIIKURA, 6-0

BRONZE--Chisato YOSHIDA df. Kokona TAKADA by Fall, 6:00 (9-2)
BRONZE--Yuka FUJIKURA df. Asahi NAKAMURA, 6-2

Semifinal--Sumire NIIKURA df. Kokona TAKADA by TF, 11-0, 5:57
Semifinal--Ayano MORO df. Yuka FUJIKURA by Fall, 2:37 (8-0)

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold

Saturday, February 28, 2026 - 09:53 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 28) -- The stakes were not the same but Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will be very satisfied with her win over world champion Genesis REASCO (ECU).

World champion Reasco and silver medalist Medet Kyzy met in the 76kg final of the 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series on Saturday. In the rematch of the World Championships final, Medet Kyzy changed her strategy and kept Reasco tangled in upper body match-up. It worked out well for Medet Kyzy as she defeated Reasco 5-4 to clinch the gold medal.

Five months ago in Zagreb, Reasco led 4-0 with two different takedowns before Medet Kyzy cut it to 4-2 but was unable to score another takedown which would have given her the win.

In Tirana on Saturday, the Kyrgyzstan wrestler did not let Reasco settle down and dictate. She scored the first stepout of the bout to take a 1-0 lead. Reasco and Medet Kyzy then were locked in par terre but the former managed to get her hand out and score a takedown to lead 2-1. Medet Kyzy got a two-on-one and snapped Reasco for takedown and turned her using a gut-wrench to step ahead 5-2 at the break.

Reasco tried her getting a two-on-one on Medet Kyzy but was blocked as Medet Kyzy kept her left arm on the Ecuadorian's forehead. Reasco then switched plans and went for her favorite double-leg attack to get the takedown and cut the lead to 5-4.

But Medet Kyzy did not panic and locked Reasco in double underhooks and then standing to run out the time and claim the victory.

While there were no celebrations from Medet Kyzy but her win makes her the favorite not just for the April's Asian Championships but also the October's World Championships.

Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) finishes her final against Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bakbergenova Dominates

Three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was dominant throughout the day and won the gold medal at 72kg.

Coming out of the Nelson bracket as the number one from the group, she won the semifinal, 10-0, against Diksha MALIK (IND). From the other side, world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) reached the final.

Bakbergenova was put on the activity clock in the first period and Nurtaeva was on the board with a 1-0 lead. But a slide-by from Bakbergenova threw the bout wide open. Bakbergenova elevated Nurtaeva's leg and rolled over for four points but the latter kept her control to get two points.

The Kazakhstan wrestler kept her position and was awarded a point for reversal and then tried to pin Nurtaeva, however, the Kyrgyzstand wrestler flee out of bounds. At the end of the exchange, Bakbergenova led 11-3. Kyrgyzstan challenged the call and lost one more point and Nurtaeva was put in forced par terre.

Bakbergenova sat on Nurtaeva as the latter tried to get out of the hold but going between the former's legs. That was the two points Bakbergenova needed to complete her victory.

Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) turns NEHA (IND) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Vynnyk Edges Neha

Albania is turning out to be a happy hunting ground for Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR). After winning her two U23 World Championships gold medals here in 2023 and 2024, Vynnyk won the 57kg gold medal at the Ranking Series on Saturday.

In one of the most exciting finals of the night, Vynnyk defeated NEHA (IND), 8-7, with 13 points coming in the second period. It was the Indian who opened the score with an early takedown to lead 2-0 at the break, before Vynnyk who used a chest wrap to throw her over and led 2-2. She continued the exchange with three turns before a reversal and came out with an 8-3 lead.

Neha, who looked clueless in her defense, used strength to put Vynnyk down for two points to cut the lead to 8-5. With 50 seconds remaining and needing three points to win, Neha elevated Vynnyk's leg, trying to score four points. But Vynnyk defended all attempts to trip her and killed the time as Neha tried to find a way to score.

Eventually, Vynnyk fell on the edge and Neha got only two points, that too after a challenge. Neha was left with only six seconds to win the match and that was always too little against Vynnyk, who improved her bronze from last year.

At 53kg, Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) won all her four bouts in the Nelson bracket to win the gold medal. She outscored her four opponents 36-3 to stamp her authority.

MEENAKSHI (IND) won the silver medal after beating Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 2-1, in the Round 5 bout. Yetgil ended with a bronze medal.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) won the 67kg gold after a 5-1 win over Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Shermakhanbet Returns With Gold

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), who has been out of action for close to a year, returned to international competition with a gold medal at 67kg. The former Asian champion took out Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1, in the final. He was the second Georgian who Shermakhanbet defeated as he took out European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in the semifinals.

In the final, Shermakhanbet scored a turn from par terre in the first period and then defended his par terre in the second period despite desperate efforts from Chkhikvadze.

The Kazakhstan wrestler got the last two points when Chkhikvadze tried to throw him but landed on his back.

At 63kg, Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) defeated compatriot Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1, thanks to the first par terre call he got and held criteria.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SILVER: MEENAKSHI (IND)
BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
GOLD: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. NEHA (IND), 8-7

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Kristina MIKHNEVA (UWW), via fall (7-7)
BRONZE: Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) df. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR), 5-4

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), 14-3

BRONZE: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Diksha MALIK (IND), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Genesis REASCO (ECU)

BRONZE: Dymond GUILFORD (USA) vs. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
BRONZE: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) vs. Elmira YASIN (TUR)

Greco-Roman

63kg
GOLD: Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) df. Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1

BROBZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Ali HAJIVAND (IRI), 6-3
BRONZE: Morten THORESEN (NOR) df. Bakytzhan KABDYL (KAZ), 2-1

67kg
GOLD: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mahammad SHUKURZADE (AZE) vs. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
BRONZE: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) df. Otto BLACK (USA), 8-0

Morning Session Highlights

15:00: Greco 67kg semifinals - Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) books his spot in the 67kg final after a 4-4 criteria over Otto BLACK (USA). This is the second straight Ranking Series final for Chkhikvadze. Black threatened to upset the Georgian as he scored two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-0. But Chkhikvadze managed to control the second period and scored two takedowns against a tiring Black to win.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) denied European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), 3-1, in the other semifinal. A takedown from Shermakhanbet which was challenge by Georgia but lost, giving a 3-0 lead to the Kazakhstan. A stepout is all Khetsuriani could score in the second period.

14:45: Greco 63kg semifinals - Sakit GULIYEV (AZE) goes high gut-wrench from par terre and turn (NOR) Morten THORESEN (NOR) four times to finish the semifinal 9-0. He will face compatriot Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) who rode on a strong first period to beat Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), 7-3. Babashov hit a four-pointer and turn from par terre to score his points.

14:30: 76kg semifinals - World Championships final rematch in Tirana. World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) comes back after being 4-2 down against Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) and scores two take downs in the second period to win 6-4. World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) gets past the young Elmira YASIN (TUR), 9-0, to book her chance to avenge that loss from Zagreb

14:20: 72kg semifinals - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was put on the activity clock in the second period but she instantly hits Diksha MALIK (IND) with a double leg and then score six points with a lace to lead 9-1. She scores a stepout to finish the semifinal 10-0. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) will face Bakbergenova in the final after she held off Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) for a 2-1 win

14:10: 57kg semifinals - NEHA (IND), a U20 world bronze medalist, with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) in just one minute and 32 seconds. A stiffer challenge awaits in the final as Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), a U23 world champion, will stand between her and the gold medal. Vynnyk used a strong gut-wrench and then a four-pointer to win her semifinal against Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), 14-2.

Semifinals will begin at 14:00 hours local time

12:55: Quick finish for Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) as she rolls Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL) after a takedown to win 10-0 at 76kg. She will wrestle in the semifinals.

12:50: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) is too good for European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg. She opens with a double-leg four-pointer before Alpyeyeva is hit with caution which makes her score 5-0. A scramble is score two points for Reasco and one for Alpyeyeva which Ukraine challenges but loses the challenge, giving extra point to Reasco who wins 8-5

12:45: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) shits gears in the final minute to beat Bose TOSUN (TUR) 6-1 at 72kg. Bakbergenova led 2-1 after two activity clock points and then scored a double-leg takedown and roll to complete the victory

12:40: In a battle of age-group stars, Elmira YASIN (TUR) beats KAJAL (IND), 7-5, at 76kg. Kajal led 3-0 when Yasin hit double-leg for four points which Kajal challenged but lost to give Yasin a 5-3 lead. The first two minutes of the second period were slow before Kajal got a takedown but that only made it 5-5 with Yasin holding criteria. A desperate throw from Kajal at the end resulted in Yasin on top, giving the Turkiye wrestler two more points

12:35: Another excellent win for Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) over Samantha STEWART (CAN) at 57kg. Once again, Domajeva with a comeback from 4-0 down to make it 4-4 in the second period and win on criteria.

12:20: Ali HAJIVAND (IRI) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) took a long time to finish their 63kg bout and it is the Iranian who comes out on top 6-3. Mammadov took a 3-0 lead in the first period. But, Hajivand got the par terre in the second and Mammadov committed a defensive foul which gave a 3-3 criteria lead to Hajivand. He then hit a correct throw to make it 5-3. Hajivand then almost got Mammadov in a fall but did not complete it but his lead swelled to 7-3. Mammadov challanged that asking for leg foul but lost it which gave Hajivand the additional one point.

12:00: Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) with first-period victory over Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) 67kg. Chkhikvadze hits an opening four-pointer and then gets a pushout which was actually a throw but Zakriev did not land in danger. Zakriev challenges for two points for himself but challenge is lost. A two-point takedown and stepout gives Chkhikvadze the 9-1 win

11:50: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) gets a win over Buse TOSUN (TUR), 12-1, in the Nelson bracket bout. Tosun unusually clueless in that bout was even docked a caution point

11:25: World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) recovers from the first takedown that Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) scored on her to complete a 12-2 victory in her opening bout at 76kg in Tirana.

11:15: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) needed a stepout with 20 seconds left to pull off a victory against Dymond GUILFORD (USA) in the opening round bout at 76kg. The United States challenged the call but Guilford stepped out first, giving Reasco another point as she wins 3-2.

11:05: U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) with a activity clock point and a stepout to complete a 2-2 win over Jenna HEMIAE (FIN) at 57kg. Really clutch from Domajeva

10:55: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), a three-time world silver medalist, with a 4-3 victory over Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) at 72kg

10:45: Starting the day with 53kg as Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) takes out MEENAKSHI (IND), 5-0, and then Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) hangs on for a 3-3 criteria win over Roksana ZASINA (POL), also at 53kg

10:30: A big day in Tirana as a World Championships final rematch on the cards between champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at women's 76kg.

Tanabe joins Olympic medalist dad as national champion

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Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold