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Ulaanbaatar Open 2026 Greco-Roman Day 1 Results & Highlights

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 17:22 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 4) -- The first day of the Ulaanbaatar Open will feature seven Greco-Roman weight classes. The third Ranking Series stop offers vital Ranking points which will in turn help earn a seed at the World Championships.

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14:35: 97kg semifinals - Minho LEE (KOR) showed some fight but eventually fizzled out as Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ) secured the fall after a 10-4 lead. Amanaly will face Asian silver medalist NITESH (IND) in the final after the Indian defeated Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), 4-1. 

14:10: The 87kg semifinals took some time but they are done! Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) finished his semifinal with a 9-0 victory over Seunghwan LEE (KOR) and in the second semifinal, Asian bronze medalist Sunil KUMAR (IND) held on to a 3-1 victory over Luis AVENDANO (VEN) after scoring a turn from par terre in the second period.

Switching to remaining semifinals on one mat!

13:45: An all-Bulgarian final at 82kg! Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) wins his semifinal 9-1 in the first period against Imur TEMIRBEKOV (KGZ) while Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) blanks Lkhagvasuren DASHJAMTS (MGL), 9-0.

13:30: At 77kg, Amuguleng BAI (CHN) with a four-point throw in the final 10 seconds to stun Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ), 7-6, and advance to the finals. Bai was trailing 6-3 but out of nowhere he launches Orunkul Uulu to secure the win. He will face Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) for the gold medal after he posted a controlled 3-1 win over Yeonghun NOH (KOR)

13:20: No mercy from Iranian duo of Danial SOHRABI (IRI) and Javad REZAEI (IRI) in 72kg semifinals. A very identical bout in their respective matches as both Sohrabi and Rezaei won in 1:39 seconds and score of 9-0. Sohrabi defeated Amanat SAMAT UULU (KGZ) while Rezaei moved past Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) and will meet in the 72kg final.

13:15: The semifinals will begin with 67kg. Murat FIRAT (TUR) up against Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND) in the semifinals. He scores a stepout before given a par terre position from which he turns Sahrawat and then lifts him to throw for four points. India challenge the last throw but loses it and Firat wins 9-0. He will face Xinxin JIN (CHN) for the gold medal after Jin upsets Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), 4-2, in the other semifinal.

12:45: Payam AHMADI (IRI) does it! He wins the gold at 55kg after winning his Round 4 bout against Emin CAKIR (TUR), 9-0, his fourth technical superiority win of the morning session. He completed a 17-second win in Round 3. 

12:20: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) continues his dominant run at 67kg as he beats Karanjit SINGH (IND), 12-3. Singh got the par terre and scored a turn but Shimoyamada used an arm-throw to take a 4-3 lead. He used another arm throw but did not succeed. However, he wrapped Singh's arm around his head to turn the Indian twice and lead 8-3. He used a reverse lift for four points to finish the bout right at the stroke of the break.

12:00: Continuing the round-robin bracket at 55kg, world silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) with two beautiful throws over Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) to win his second bout 8-0. Two more wins and he will claim the gold medal.

11:45: At 97kg, Asian silver medalist NITESH (IND) has to work hard for his 3-1 victory over Juan DIAZ (VEN) in the quarterfinals. Nitesh is the favourite to win the gold medal but still needs two more wins.

11:22: Asian silver medalist Javad REZAEI (IRI) takes less than two minutes to complete a 10-0 win over former U23 world champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) at 72kg. Two Iran wrestlers are entered at 72kg. Apart from Rezaei, Sohrabi is also wrestling in Ulaanbaatar with Iran hoping that they face each other and the winner likely to get the spot on the Iran team for the World Championships.

11:15: European silver medalist Murat FIRAT (TUR) takes some time but manages an 8-0 technical superiority victory over ALAMUSI (CHN) in 4:49 at 67kg.

11:10: No troubles for world bronze medalist and defending champion in Ulaanbaatar, Danial SOHRABI (IRI) as he finishes Borgil TUVSHINBAATAR (MGL) in just a minute and 26 seconds at 72kg. Sohrabi wins 10-0

11:00: Former Asian champion Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a statement win over Man Gwang SON (PRK) at 67kg. He got highlight reel going with big four-pointers as he moves on with a 10-1 victory

10:52: Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) with a big head lock throw and holds ANIL (IND) for a fall in the opening round bout at 72kg.

10:45: World silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI), in a Nordic bracket at 55kg, begins with a technical superiority win over Asian silver medalist LALIT (IND). He scored a takedown to lead 2-0 before given the par terre position. From 3-0, he scored a turn to make it 5-0 and Lalit committed a leg foul which gave two more points to Ahmadi. India challenge the call but it is lost, giving an 8-0 victory to Ahmadi 

10:30: Welcome to Ulaanbaatar Open in the Mongolian capital. Seven Greco-Roman weight classes will kick off the competition.

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Ranking Series: Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Preview

Monday, May 26, 2025 - 06:43 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 23) -- While most Paris Olympic medalist have returned to action in either the first two Ranking Series or the recent continental championships, there are still who will be wrestling for the first time since Games in August 2024.

The Ulaanbaatar Open, the third stop of the Ranking Series, will see two such wrestlers -- AMAN (IND) and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

Aman, the bronze medalist at 57kg in Paris, will mark his return to competition after dropping out from first two Ranking Series tournaments. Dzhuzupekov, who won bronze at Greco-Roman 97kg in Paris, will also be returning for the first time.

Barring those, a few world medalists are also wrestling in Ulaanbaatar. The tournament, which will see more than 200 wrestlers, throws up some top match-ups despite a several nations preparing for their domestic trials or national championships.

The tournament will run through May 29 to June 1 and will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and UWW App.

Freestyle

In a hugely viral clip of United World Wrestling, Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW) is getting pinned by Shamil MAMMEDOV (UWW) who has Shakhiev in a cradle. That was January 2022 at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series.

More than three years after his last international bout, Shakhiev is making a comeback. The 2021 world 65kg champion will take the mat at 70kg at the Ulaanbaatar Open as he tries to find a way back to the top in international wrestling.

However, it's won't be an easy journey. The 70kg in Ulaanbaatar will se Shakhiev clash with Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK).

Tumur Ochir will be looking avenge his 4-4 loss to Shakhiev from that 2021 World Championships, a match which had all the drama in the final minute. How Shakhiev comes out now is yet to be seen.

Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) can trouble Shakhiev and so can Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) and Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with their gas-tanks.

For Tumur Ochir, it will be a perfect opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd and regain some form before the World Championships in September.

Mongolia will be keen on its wrestlers finishing on podium at the home tournament. Their biggest hope, apart from Tumur Ochir, will be Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) at 125kg.

The Asian silver medalist will have DINESH (IND),Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) and Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) as some of his opponents but is expected to finish better than them. 

At 57kg, Aman may be the only Olympic medalist entered but the field seems challenging for anyone. European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) brings a lot of craft with him and Aman will like face him if he wants to win another Ranking Series gold medal. Then there is Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) who too is coming off a good run in Monterrey.

Kyrgyzstan is sending two wrestlers -- Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) and Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) -- and both can trouble their opponents. The hosts Mongolia is banking on Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL).

Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) will be another top name in Freestyle but his weight class also has quite a few challengers. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) and Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) will be there from Kyrgyzstan along with Artem GOBAEV (UWW), who won the European U23 Championships gold last year.

Another Asian silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) will continue to be at 92kg and not 86kg, his previous weight class. Punia made his return from surgery at the Asian Championships and won silver medal at 92kg, only dropping the final to Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI).

He will be put to further test in Ulaanbaatar and Askhab SAADULAEV (UWW) may emerge as his biggest competitor.

At 74kg, Iran is sending three wrestlers in the hope of finding the best for the World Championships. Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), who recently moved up from 70kg and won the Takhti Cup, will be challenged by Yones EMAMI (IRI) and Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI).

To win gold, Yazdani will also face competition from JAIDEEP (IND), Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and former world medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), who Yazdani defeated in a club competition in Iran recently.

European bronze medalist Osman GOECN (TUR) will be Türkiye chance to win gold medal at the Ranking Series. Gocen will largely be unchallenged at 86kg given his experience and style.

At 65kg, Kyrgyzstan is trying to find its best bet for a medal at the World Championships as both Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) are entered.

Greco-Roman

Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye are bringing strong teams for the Ranking Series. Kyrgyzstan will be led by Olympic bronze medalist Dzhuzupbekov while Turkiye has European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and former world champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR). Barring those, only India is sending a full team for the tournament.

Iran has two wrestlers namely Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) at 63kg and 72kg respectively.

Kamal, who has found a lifeline since switching to 63kg from 60kg, won the European Championships gold medal in spectacular fashion and is now out to win his second Ranking Series gold of the year.

He has Keshtkar in his weight class along with Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ), Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) and Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT). However, Kamal remains the favorite. Akbudak should have an easy path to gold at 82kg.

European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg is also unlikely to face much challenge in the competition at the highest weight class.

The Kyrgyzstan vs Turkiye may emerge as the theme of the tournament in Greco-Roman for the rest of the weight classes.

Paris Olympian Enes BASAR (TUR) may have to navigate a stronger field at 60kg with former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) and two of Kyrgyzstan's rising stars Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) and Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ).

Kyrgyzstan's Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), who won gold at Muhamet Malo and silver at Asian Championships, will be the favorite at 67kg despite the presence of Murat FIRAT (TUR).

Same goes for Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) who won gold at 77kg in Albania and later a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. His battle with European bronze medalist Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) will be one to watch out for.

At 87kg, two former age-group world champions will be fighting it out. Former world U20 champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) had a rather disappointing Asian Championships as he finished seventh and will be looking to win gold in Ulaanbaatar to regain confidence.

Alperen BERBER (TUR), who has all age-group world titles, has not wrestled this year in any Ranking Series or Championships and will be test at 87kg.

Sohrabi, who won the Asian title at 72kg in Amman, will start as the favorite but has to be careful with Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) who can upset the Iranian.

Women's Wrestling

India, Turkiye and Mongolia are in a three-way battle in Women's Wrestling. A few UWW wrestlers are also in the fray in the tournament but not in all weight classes. The Indian and Turkish teams have some of their continental medalists and will make for an exciting clash in the respective weight classes.

No weight class in Women's Wrestling is expected to have eight wrestlers and will be competed in Nelson or round-robin format.  That throws big match ups in most weight classes.

At 62kg, Asian champion MANISHA (IND) will be clashing with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), Saruul ERDENEBILEG (MGL) and Alina KASABIEVA (UWW).

Sukhee, a former world champion, is known for her big moves and can easily reach the top of the podium in Ulaabaatar. But Purevdorj, who surprisingly missed the Asian Championships, will be keen on displaying her skills and reclaim the top spot in the weight class.

Kasabieva, world silver medalist at 65kg, has to face the Asian challenge and style and a good performance in Ulaabaatar can work wonders for her future tournaments.

Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) will be the favorite at 53kg but has to step up against the likes of Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) andNatalia MALYSHEVA (UWW).

Similarly, NEELAM (IND) may find it tough against European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and European U23 champion Natalia PUDOVA (UWW). A direct India-Turkiye battle is expected at 57kg as European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) will be tested by world U20 bronze NEHA (IND).

In most other weight classes, Mongolia is likely to have podium finishes as it has three wrestlers in each weights. 

Former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) is at 55kg along with Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL) and 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) is the favorite at 68kg despite her bronze-medal finish at the Asian Championships.

At 72kg, European U23 champion Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) will test herself against the Asian style of wrestling. Former U17 world champion HARSHITA (IND) will be her biggest test.