#WrestleSofia

USA push three into Tuesday's U20 world finals

By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 15) -- Perhaps it is the James GREEN effect. The USA, which won the freestyle team title at the U17 World Championships two weeks ago, continued its dream run under coach Green and emerged as the best team on day one of the U20 World Championships on Monday.

Green took over the coach just a month ago and is aiming to win the second team title in as many World Championships.

After entering four wrestlers in the semifinals, the USA managed to send three wrestlers to Tuesday's gold medal bouts. Azerbaijan was the next best team with two finalists. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and Turkey were the five other countries that managed to have a wrestler each in the final.

All three of the USA wrestlers used their high-paced wrestling to win after trailing initially in the semifinal.

Jore VOLK (USA)Jore VOLK (USA) reached the 57kg final after beating Luka GVINJILIA (GEO) 13-6. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 57kg, Jore VOLK (USA) had to do it more than once. Wrestling Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the opening bout, Volk led 3-3 on criteria at the break and added another takedown to lead 5-3. But Javan, who was one win away from making the Iran senior World Championships team, took the criteria lead with 36 seconds left on the clock. He then tried defending it but Volk managed to put Javan's on the mat just before the final whistle to win 7-5.

In the semifinals, Luka GVINJILIA (GEO) opened with exposure but Volk with a takedown to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. He upped the pace in the second and began with a takedown and Gvijilia was cautioned for fleeing. The bout restarted in par terre from which Volk made it 13-4.  But it was too late for Gvijilia as he lost 13-6.

Volk will now wrestle U20 Asian champion Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) as he defeated Heorhii KAZANZHY (UKR), 6-4, in a back-and-forth semifinal. Kazanzhy opened up a 4-0 lead with two exposures when Bazarbayev was trying to chest wrap Kazanzhy.

But the Kazakhstan wrestler, who defeated Abhishek DHAKA (IND) 5-1 in the quarterfinal, scored a takedown and a lace to lead 4-4. With the time running out, Bazarbayev continued his attacks and ultimately got the single leg to lead 6-4. He defended it for the final 47 seconds.

In another USA-Georgia semifinal, Benjamin KUETER (USA) made the gold medal bout after a 31-point slugfest against Luka KHUTCHUA (GEO) at 97kg.

Kueter came back from an 8-0 deficit after Khutchua scored a go-behind and rolled him thrice. He answered with a go-behind and then an arm-trap exposure to cut the lead to 8-4. The bout tilted in Kueter's favor when he managed to take a 9-9 criteria lead at the break against a tiring Khutchua.

The second period saw Kueter more attacks and he made it 15-10 before Khutchua managed a takedown and gut. While going for the second gut, Khutchua lost the grip and Kueter held in danger for the final 35 seconds to win 17-14.

Rifat GIDAK (TUR)Rifat GIDAK (TUR) put on a defensive masterclass to beat Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the 97kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

He will now have the rising star and '21 U17 world champion Rifat GIDAK (TUR) who stunned U20 Asian champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 6-4 in the semifinal.

After a slow start to the bout, Gidak opened the second period with a duck under to lead 2-1. A stepout and caution against Azarpira extended his lead to 4-1. Azarpira found it difficult to remain at the same pace as Gidak and conceded a counter takedown.

Though he got hold of Gidak on a couple of occasions, Azarpira could not convert them into takedowns. It was only late in the bout that he scored two stepouts but it was too little too late.

The third USA wrestler to reach the final was Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) as he defeated Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM), 6-3, in the semifinal after being down 3-0. As the second period began, he strung together three takedowns and ended the bout 6-3.

Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE)Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) come back from 3-0 deficit to beat Mulaym YADAV (IND) 5-3 in the 70kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The other semifinal followed a similar script with Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) winning it 5-3 against Mulaym YADAV (IND) after being behind 3-0 at the break.

Heybatov got a single leg to score a takedown at the edge after Azerbaijan challenged the neutral call. With just 18 seconds left, Heybatov managed to get a stepout and the lead.

Yadav almost scored a takedown over Heybatov but referees called it neutral as both wrestlers were grounded when going out of the zone. India challenged the call and on review, Heybatov was awarded a stepout and one more point for the lost challenge.

Sobhan YARI (IRI)U20 Asian champion Sobhan YARI (IRI) reached the 79kg final in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran and Armenia clash for the 79kg gold after Sobhan YARI (IRI) and Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM) made it to the final.

Yari ended the hopes of a finalist for Georgia as he defeated Otari ADEISHVILI (GEO), 9-6, in a close encounter. He led 5-4 at the break but Adeishvili scored a takedown to lead 6-4. But Yari got the better of Adeishvili as the Georgian began to feel the heat of Yari's attack.

Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM) will try to spot Yari from winning the gold after he made the final with a narrow 2-2 win over Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ).

The match was all but over with Abdullaev leading 2-0 with 20 seconds remaining. But Mkrtchyan found a final boost of energy and scored a takedown with 15 seconds remaining to win.

Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE)Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) defeated Sujeet KALKAL (IND) to reach his second straight U20 Worlds final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, returning silver medalist Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) will try to upgrade his medal from Ufa after he handed Sujeet KALKAL (IND) his first international defeat in the semifinal.

Bayramov seemed to have studied Kalkal's style of wrestling with underhooks and snapdowns and did not engage in any scrambles. Instead of allowing Kalkal to control the bout, Bayramov countered with single-leg attacks.

He scored the first two via steptous before blasting a double-leg for another takedown and lead 6-0. He went into a defensive mode in the second period but still managed to keep Kalkal from attacking. A late takedown gave the Indian two consolation points.

Bayramov will have to come up with another top performance if he wants to win the final against former U17 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB).

Jalolov will be looking to make amends from last year's World Championships in which he finished 10th after suffering a 6-6 loss to Abulfaz NASIROV (AZE) in his opening bout.

But in Sofia, he outscored his opponents 30-2 in the three bouts before the semifinal in which he faced Robert CORNELLA (USA) who reached the last four after scoring a final second takedown against Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) to win 6-5.

Jalolov was up 2-0 after two passivity calls against Cornella and he then scored a cradle exposure with an ankle pick to lead 4-0 and win the bout.

The remaining five freestyle weight classes will be in action on Tuesday along with the medal bouts of Monday's weights.

sd

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Jore VOLK (USA) vs. Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)

SF 1: Jore VOLK (USA) df. Luka GVINJILIA (GEO), 13-6
SF 2: Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) df. Heorhii KAZANZHY (UKR), 6-4

65kg
GOLD: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) vs. Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE)

SF 1: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Robert CORNELLA (USA), 4-0
SF 2: Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) df. SUJEET (IND), 6-2

70kg
GOLD: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) vs Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE)

SF 1: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) df. Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM), 6-3
SF 2: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Mulaym YADAV (IND), 5-3

79kg
GOLD: Sobhan YARI (IRI) vs. Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Sobhan YARI (IRI) df. Otari ADEISHVILI (GEO), 9-6
SF 2: Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM) df. Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ), 2-2

97kg
GOLD: Benjamin KUETER (USA) vs. Rifat GIDAK (TUR)

SF 1: Benjamin KUETER (USA) df. Luka KHUTCHUA (GEO), 17-14
SF 2: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 6-4

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 FS 57kg, 74kg, 79kg, 92kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 14) -- World Championships enters day with Freestyle continuing in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 REPORT

READ THE SEMIFINAL REPORT HERE

74kg semifinal

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)
SF 2: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

15:17: For much of his 74kg quarterfinal with David CARR (USA), Chermen VALIEV (ALB) was the second-best wrestler on the mat. He falls behind 5-1, and in the second period, Carr is in deep on a single and looking to pad his lead. But Valiev, an Olympic bronze medalist, twists Carr over for a 2-point exposure. Then he amazingly goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with :46 left. In his desperation to score, Carr allows Valiev to get behind, and Valiev scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to go ahead 7-5. He then fends off Carr's attack to secure a hard-fought win.

15:15: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) builds a 4-0 lead over Yones EMAMI (IRI) at the break with two takedowns. But Emami fires back with a takedown and turn for a 4-4 criteria lead. Takahashi blocks him and cradles for two points. He then adds a takedown when a squared but Emami stands tall and leads 8-4. A stepout is confirmed to make it 9-4. Takahashi keeps the pressure and Emami gives up a takedown on the edge. Takahashi, leading 11-4, keeps his distance from Emami and wins 11-4.

15:14: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) leads 3-0 Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) with a point and takedown. He then adds another point for activity in the second period to make it 4-0. A takedown in the final 30 seconds swells his lead to 6-0, the winning score.

15:13: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) stays on track to a fourth world gold with a workmanlike 5-1 win over Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Sidakov uses his deep single to great effect, scoring a takedown in each period. All of the other points came on the activity clock.

92kg semifinals

SF 1: Trent HIDLAY (USA) vs Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
SF 2:  Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) vs. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)

15:03: Trent HIDLAY (USA) brings his best underhook game and scores at will against Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO). He wins 6-1 and heads to the semifinals of the World Championships.

15:03: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period when, with Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) on the clock, he scores a takedown at the edge. As he gets the activity point, he quickly adds a stepout, which gives him the buffer he needs when Tsakulov comes to life and scores a takedown. Firouzpour adds a late takedown off a desperation attempt Tsakulov and he's into the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win.

15:02: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) cannot match the strength of Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg he drops his quarterfinal against 9-0.

14:56: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earns his place in the 92kg quarterfinals when his opponent Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) has to default midway through the first period with a left knee injury. Nurmagomedov got in on a low single, and Kurugliev immediately signaled the injury to his knee, which was heavily taped to begin with.

79kg semifinals

SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
SF 2: Levi HAINES (USA) vs. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)

14:50: Levi HAINES (USA) had the crowd on his side as he desperately tried to get through the stalling defenses of Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) as he attempted to preserve a 2-0 lead, with both of his points coming off the activity clock. The American's efforts paid off just in time -- he scored a takedown at the edge with 1.9 seconds left. An unsuccessful challenge gave him a 3-2 win and a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

14:46: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with some impeccable defense in the quarterfinal against Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) as he wins 3-0 to book a spot in the semifinals at 79kg.

14:45: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) gives absolutely no chance to Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the quarterfinal at 74kg and wins his bout 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

14:45: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the battle of activity points with Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), getting two to his opponent's one for a 2-1 victory at 79kg. Mykhailov was down 2-0 when he received an activity point to cut the gap. He also launched the lone true attack of the match, but Nokhodi managed to force it to a stalemate.

57kg Semifinals

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs Chongsong HAN (PRK)
SF 2: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)

14:36: Chongsong HAN (PRK) took a 4-0 lead and seemed to be cruising to a victory over Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) at 57kg, but seemed to suffer an injury that slowed him down. In the second period, Bravo Young received a fleeing point, then scored a late takedown to cut the gap to 4-3. But Han avoided being turned over to assure his place in the semifinals.

14:34: A close victory for Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Abdullaev built a 3-0 lead but gave a takedown in the second period as Mekhtikhanov made it 3-2. Mekhtikhanov challenged in the dying seconds for fleeing but there was none. Abdullaev moves into the semifinals with a 4-2 victory.

14:32: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) bounces back after giving up the first point for passivity against Spencer LEE (USA) in the 57kg quarterfinals. He blocks a duck-under attempt and adds a stepout to lead 3-1. He then scores a takedown to make it 5-1 at the break. Harutyunyan with a cut-back to score four points before Lee counters with an exposure for two. Harutyunyan leads 9-3. The United States challenges the four points but it is upheld and challenge is lost. Harutyunyan leads 10-3. He adds a takedown to make it 12-5, lace turn for 14-3 and it's a win for Harutyunyan over Olympic silver medalist.

14:31: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) put on a second-period onslaught to storm into the 57kg semifinals with a 16-5 win over Vladimir EGOROV (MKD). Almaz Uulu led 5-5 on criteria going into the second period when he scored a stepout, then parlayed a takedown into four rolls and other exposures to end the match with :45 to spare.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time.

14:10: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) posts a 12-2 victory over Ibragim VELIEV (BEL) in the 74kg pre-quarterfinals and he books a quarterfinal against David CARR (USA).

14:02: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to make mincemeat of the competition, barging into the 74kg quarterfinals with his third straight technical fall of the day without giving up a point. He made Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) his latest victim, twice getting in on a double leg, then pressing ahead as the Georgian attempted a counter lift to complete the takedown -- then adding a gut wrench to boot. On the second combination in the second period, he added a second roll to finish the match 10-0.

13:55: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) completes a 5-0 win over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two takedowns and moves into the quarterfinal at 74kg. He is joined by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who also wins 5-0 against Anthony MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN).

13:54: Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) just cannot keep up with the amazing speed of David CARR (USA), who zips his way to four takedowns in the first period by snatching a single leg or getting behind in a blink of an eye. He ends it with a low single less than a minute into the second period for a 10-0 win to advance to the 74kg quarterfinals.

13:43: Three-time Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) gets a pair of takedowns in the first period, then picks up some free points in the second to advance to the 92kg last-8 with a 7-0 victory over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:33: World silver medalist from 2023 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) scores a takedown in the first period and leads 2-0 against Deepak PUNIA (IND) at the break. He is put on the activity clock in the second period. He gives up that point but still leads 2-1. An exchange leads to two points for both wrestlers, with Nurmagomedov still leading 4-3 with less than 30 seconds left. He defends his lead and wins 4-3 at 92kg.

13:32: Two more Americans advance to the quarterfinals with 10-0 victories in back-to-back matches on Mat C. Levi HAINES (USA) takes out Bumgae SEO (KOR) at 79kg, and Trent HIDLAY (USA) follows by whitewashing Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg.

13:26: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), a four-time world medalist, launches his quest for a first gold by scoring a takedown in each period for a tame 4-0 victory over Michael LABRIOLA (PUR) to book his place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:22: Spencer LEE (USA), Paris Olympic silver medalist, with a leg-lace and wins his first bout at 57kg 10-0 against Yusuf DEMIR (TUR).

13:15: In a replay of the gold-medal match at the 2023 worlds, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) holds on for a 4-1 victory over Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to gain a spot in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) proves too much for young Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), pulling away in the second period to win 9-4 and advance to the 57kg quarterfinals. Almaz Uulu leads 3-2 in the second period when he gets a takedown and exposure to go up 7-2. Sakamoto gets behind for a takedown, but can't get the lace-lock going, then gives up a late desperation takedown.

13:00: Three-time world medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) survives a grueling and thrilling test with Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), surging late then holding on for a 13-8 victory to make the 57kg quarterfinals. Harutyunyan trailed 5-2 in the second period when he put on a seven-point spree to go ahead. Batkhuyag wasn't done, getting a stepout, then stunning Harutyunyan with a quick takedown right off the whistle to make it 9-8. But the Armenian clinches the win with a takedown and roll in the final seconds.

13:00: Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) built a 3-0 lead and then held on to it. He gave up a point but still managed to win 4-1. A point for lost challenge from Aryan TSIUTRYN (UWW).

12:50: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) with a fall over Ali MOMENI (IRI) at 61kg. Excellent wrestling from Bravo Young as he builds a 6-0 lead and then keeps Momeni on the mat for a fall

12:45: 2024 world U23 champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to impress by driving to a 12-0 whitewash of Vitali IHNATOVICH (UWW) to advance at 74kg. Takahashi gets a takedown-roll combination for a 5-0 first-period lead, then repeats the process in the second, adding a second exposure.

12:45: European champion Chermen VALIEV (ALB) with a gut-wrench against Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL) and he wins 12-2 at 74kg. Valiev is looking for his first-ever world medal

12:44: Not much action, but neither was Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) in any real danger as he begins his bid for a fourth world title with a 5-1 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg. Sidakov picks up an activity point in the first period, then pads the lead with a stepout and activity point in the second before clinching the win with a takedown. He gives up a late fleeing point.

12:40: World silver medalist Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) with a 5-0 victory over Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) at 74kg. Salkazanov is looking to add to his collection of world medals

12:36: David CARR (USA) spotted Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD) a quick four points in their 74kg encounter, but stormed back to keep the American record spotless on the day. Trailing 5-2 in the second period, Carr turned the tide with a 4-point double-leg takedown, which he topped off with a leg lace for a 9-5 win.

12:35: Deepak PUNIA (IND), who has been a long-time 86kg, is at 92kg for this season and won silver medal at the Asian Championships. He takes on Benjamin GREIL (AUT) in his first match in Zagreb. He builds a 3-0 lead at the break. Both trade stepouts in the second period before Punia scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. Punia happy to hang on to his lead and advance at 92kg.

12:03: In a battle between two-time Asian bronze medalists, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who watched his brother Hayato make the final at 86kg on Saturday, was dealt a tough 3-1 loss by Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg. Sharipov scored a first-period takedown before adding an activity point in the second period, when Ishiguro could only manage a stepout.

11:55: Three-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) needs less than a minute to build an eight-point lead on Patrik LEDER (CAN) at 79kg, opening with a 4-point takedown and adding two gut wrenches. It takes a little while, but he finishes it up in the first period with a stepout and an unsuccessful challenge.

11:54: Trent HIDLAY (USA), winner of the Budapest Ranking Series event, shows a nice mix of power and agility in storming to an 11-1 victory Redjep HAJDARI (MKD) at 92kg.

11:50: Two-time world bronze medalist Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) is off to impressive start at 79kg, chalking up four takedowns in a 11-9 win over Alans AMIROVS (LAT).

11:41: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) is having trouble breaking down the defenses of Salah KATEB (ALG)  at 57kg, and is limited to a stepout in the final seconds of the first period for a 1-1 lead. In the second period, he loses a challenge over a potential stepout. But he quickly gets a stepout, with a fleeing point tacked on, then the dam breaks and he scores a takedown and launches a series of gut wrenches to win 12-2 in 4:10.

11:30: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) begins his quest for a world medal at 79kg with a 10-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). The Greece wrestlers looks solid here.

11:25: Two-time European champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) forges out a 6-2 victory over Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) to advance at 79kg as he looks to repeat his world title from 2023.

11:20: Thomas EPP (SUI) was caught in a fireman carry by Ali MOMENI (IRI) who packs him and smashes for five. Momeni wins 6-1 at 57kg.

11:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, proves too much for Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) to handle in their 57kg clash, scoring four takedowns en route to an 11-0 victory.

11:09: At 57kg, 2023 world bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) loses his balance while in on a single and European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) turns into a 4-point takedown. But the Mongolian gradually cuts the gap and rallies to win 6-4.

11:07: Can Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) earn the first-ever medal for Mexico at the World Championships? He begins his quest with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Niklas STECHELE (GER) at 57kg

11:02: Asian champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) gets thing started in his 57kg opener against Darian CRUZ (PUR) with a nifty 4-point arm throw, then locks the thighs around his head and rolls for another 2. Han adds a takedown and he's through with an 8-0 win.

11:02: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) begins with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) at 57kg. His lace is lethal.

11:00: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), who won the 74kg gold medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, completes a first-period technical superiority over Ok Chol HAN (PRK). Takahashi built a 5-0 lead with early bursts of takedown. He made it 9-0 with another takedown and lace. A stepout finishes off things 10-0.

10:50: In a major matchup in the 70kg repechage between multi-world medalists, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will get a chance to add to his collection when he broke open a close match with a series of gut wrenches to oust Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) 14-4. Akmataliev was losing on criteria when he got 2 with a front body lock roll, then transititioned behind and hit the gut wrenches before Muszukajev knew what hit him.

10:30: We will continue Freestyle action at the World Championships in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg. Here is the preview for the same.