USA puts aside Burroughs loss to win World Cup

Monday, December 12, 2022 - 04:27 By Vinay Siwach

CORALVILLE, Iowa (December 11) -- Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) had never lost at home to a non-American wrestler. He had never lost in a World Cup. No Iran wrestler had ever beaten him.

But all that changed when Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) used a takedown to gut in a 6-6 criteria win over Burroughs in the World Cup in Iowa on Sunday.

Beating Burroughs in his home country made it even more special for Savadkouhi who became the first Iranian wrestler to beat the 2012 Olympic champion whose career has spanned around 15 years.

The Asian champion may have broken new ground by joining the list, which only has five other wrestlers, to win against Burroughs, but his feat was not enough to guide Iran to the World Cup title as it lost the final to the USA 6-4 and finished second.

The USA, led by world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA), won three straight bouts after the Burroughs loss to claim its 15th World Cup. It caps off an incredible year for the USA freestyle team which also won the team title at the World Championships in Belgrade in September.

Ukraine won the women's World Cup as it stunned China 6-4 in the final and became the first European team to win the coveted trophy.

After beating Mongolia and Georgia in the group stage Saturday, the USA waited for its opponent from the other group. Iran defeated Japan and the All-World team to set a clash against the hosts.

The final began in front of a partisan Iowa crowd that cheered every point by an American wrestler. It cheered the most when Burroughs hit a double on Savadkouhi just before the activity clock expired. He also got a lace to make his score 4-0.

"I knew I was down," Savadkouhi said. "But I was thinking of moving forward and being offensive. I lost one opportunity to score. But I knew from the first minute that he will make a mistake."

Savadkouhi was speaking from experience as he had Burroughs on the line at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event in Istanbul in February. He was on his way to winning the bout as Burroughs was put on the activity clock in the final minute but Savadkouhi pulled the singlet and was penalized for it and lost.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) scored six points on Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Ginnie Coleman)

In Iowa, he did not make a mistake. He went on an outside single and scored the takedown to cut the lead to 4-2. Burroughs took time to return to neutral, showing signs of tiredness. Savadkouhi pushed more from here and 15 seconds later scored another takedown. He did not let Burroughs settle down in par terre and turned him, a rare sight, to add two more.

From here, he had to defend the two-point lead for more than a minute. Burroughs tried but could not find a breakthrough. He pushed Savadkouhi out of bounds and got one point for fleeing to make it 6-6 but the Iranian still held criteria with nine seconds to go.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) celebrates after beating Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) in Iowa. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Savadkouhi managed to pass the time. He had achieved the unthinkable. He knew doing it in the US was special.

"I am happy to be the first Iranian to beat Burroughs and more importantly to win in his home country," he said. "I am blessed to be supported by Iranian people and the coaches."

Savadkouhi also talked about the confidence the Iran coaches had in him against Burroughs who had defeated Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), who was in Iowa, in two finals at the World Championships.

"The coaches especially Pejman DOROSTKAR coach put more energy in me and he believed I will win," he said.

Kyle SNYDER (USA) managed to beat Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) 5-0 at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While Iran's gamble to wrestle Savadkouhi worked, another did not.

Two-time world champion at 92kg Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) bumped up to 97kg to wrestle Snyder as Iran tried to go for an outright win. But that did not pay off.

Snyder, who won the World Championships in Belgrade, was clearly the bigger and better wrestler and Ghasempour never managed to threaten with an attack. Snyder scored three stepouts against a tiring Ghasempour and a takedown to complete the win.

The USA was off to a strong start in the dual as Zane RICHARDS (USA) got a 4-3 win over Reza MOMENIJOUJAD (IRI) at 57kg before Seth GROSS (USA) manhandled U17 world champion Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) at 61kg in a 10-0 win.

It took world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) to win a rematch against John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) at 65kg to put Iran on board. While the Belgrade final was a high-scoring affair, Amouzad and Diakomihalis were conservative in the match Sunday.

Amouzad scored a takedown but Diakomihalis was smart to not let him use the underhook to score stepouts. He then used two lighting fast duck-unders to take a 4-2 lead in the final. It looked like Amouzad was struggling to make a comeback but he scored via exposure and then added a late stepout to take a 5-4 lead and the win.

This should have put Iran in a strong position but Alec PANTALEO (USA) stunned Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) at 70kg with a 4-3 win, keeping the momentum in the USA's favor. Yazdani gave up two takedowns and his offense never got going. In the dying moments, he scored exposure over Pantaleo and then got a turn but Pantaleo had his head outside the zone which resulted in no points for the turn.

With the USA leading 3-1, Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOUR (IRI) was under pressure to pull one back. He was facing Jason NOLF (USA) at 74kg and was the underdog. Nolf led 1-0 at the break for an inactivity point and Firouzpour was again put on the clock but this time he scored a takedown and defended that lead for the win.

Burroughs loss had made it 3-3 and Iran had a real shot at winning the World Cup. But Zahid VALENCIA (USA), with his swaying hair, defeated Alireza KARIMI (IRI) at 86kg before Nathan JACKSON (USA) beat U23 world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) at 92kg to all but seal the deal.

U23 world champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) handed Hayden ZILLMER (USA) a 6-1 defeat as consolation at 125kg. Celebrating his win, he gestured his hands for the next one before symbolizing a crown on his head as if saying that he will be the next king of this weight class.

The All-World team, which came agonizingly close to making it to the final, came back Sunday to beat Georgia 8-2 and finish with a bronze medal at the World Cup on its debut.

Ukraine Ukraine won its first ever World Cup. (Photo: UWW / Ginnie Coleman)

Ukraine stuns China

Over the weekend, Ukraine showed that it is right up there with the top women's wrestling nations. In a tough year with wrestlers struggling to find training bases and fighting an emotional battle, Ukraine not only qualified for the World Cup, but it also went on to win it.

Ukraine defeated the mighty China 6-4 in the final Sunday to claim its first-ever World Cup to cap off a successful year on a high. It did this a day after defeating women's wrestling powerhouse Japan to reach the final.

China, a close second to Japan when it comes to women's wrestling, was the favorite on paper but struggled with the high-paced and crafty wrestling of the Ukrainian team which had been in the US for the last three weeks.

The USA Wrestling, working along with the United World Wrestling, Olympic Solidarity, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the USOC, invited the team for a camp before the World Cup at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) defeated Olympic silver medalist Qianyun PANG (CHN) at 55kg. (Photo: UWW / Ginnie Coleman)

That seemed to have worked for Ukraine as it broke Japan's title defense on Sunday. Japan sent a fairly young team to Iowa as most of its stars decided to skip the tournament for the Emperor's Cup scheduled to be held December 22-25. It is the first step towards qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the final against China, there was no lack of support for the Ukraine team as the crowd at the Xtreme Arena continued to push the team with its cheering.

Oksana LIVACH (UKR) gave a dream start with a come-from-behind win at 50kg. Jiang ZHU (CHN) was on her way to win the bout when Livach unleashed a cool headlock for four and win the bout 4-4.

"I am very exhausted," she said after the win. "I am glad that I won for Ukraine. It is a very important win for us. The coaches said that I have to win the first match."

Li DENG (CHN) tied the dual 1-1 with a 2-1 win over Albina RILLIA (UKR) at 53kg which meant that the 55kg clash between Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) and European champion Alina HRUSHYNA became even more important.

Hrushyna led 2-1 with three points being awarded for inactivity and Pang tried desperately for an attack in the final few seconds. She head-pinched Hrushyna, who was ready for it, defending the attempt with ease and scoring a takedown for a 4-1 win.

Yuliia TKACH (UKR) secured a fall over Yongxin FENG (CHN) at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Ginnie Coleman)

Veteran Yuliia TKACH (UKR) then got fall over Yongxin FENG (CHN) to swing it in Ukraine's favor. Qi ZHANG (CHN) did give China another chance by beating Iryna BONDAR (UKR) 7-2 at 59kg but that hope was short-lived as Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) put a cradle on Xinyuan SUN (CHN) for the fall inside the first period.

The two falls gave Ukraine a huge advantage if the dual was to end 5-5.

China was well aware of the scenario and Jia LONG (CHN) went all out against Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) at 65kg. In what will be the contender for the bout of the day, Long secured a fall despite being tossed twice for four-pointers. But she kept her composure and kept coming back and got a pin with two seconds remaining.

With Feng ZHOU (CHN) not available at 68kg, China banked on former world medalist Yue HAN (CHN) against Tetiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR). Han almost did the job and was on her way to a 4-2 win when Rizhko got a single leg for two and Han made an illegal hold during the attack to be penalized for one point.

Rizhko's 5-4 win made it difficult for China to think of winning the title. However, QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) gave it a shot. She defeated Alla BELINSKA (UKR) 9-1 to leave Juan WANG (CHN) with only one option -- to win the 76kg bout via fall.

Wang did try that but Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) did not let it go for long. Shustova went on the offense and kept it up for the entire bout, winning 9-5 for an outright win.

Mongolia finished third in the World Cup after it beat the USA 7-3 in the morning session.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025: Day 6 GR 55kg, 77kg, 82kg, 130kg Highlights

Thursday, September 18, 2025 - 08:31 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 18) -- Greco-Roman day at the World Championships in Zagreb. Four weight classes -- 55kg, 77kg, 82kg and 130kg -- are in action with Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) and Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) are expected to meet in 77kg quarterfinals.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULTS

77kg semifinals
SF 1: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) vs. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)
SF 2: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) vs. Robert FRITSCH (HUN)

14:55: In the most anticipated match of the session, Nao KUSAKA (JPN) repeated his victory Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) from the final at the Paris Olympics to advance to the 77kg semifinals as he pursues a first world gold. Kusaka got the first chance at par terre, but it was Zhadrayev who came out with the points. Kusaka went to his usual cross body lock, but Zhadrayev used the momentum and timed it perfectly to launch a throw himself. Although Kusaka got behind for reversal, it left Zhadrayev ahead 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, a quick charge at the whistle sees Kusaka gain a stepout that is awarded on challenge. Kusaka adds another stepout, then fends off the pressure from Zhadrayev while avoiding getting flagged for passivity and advances with a 4-2 victory. Next up for Kusaka will be Robert FRITSCH (HUN), from the country where the Japanese went to train prior to his triumph in Paris.

14:54: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) blocks Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) as the Turkiye tries to turn Amoyan from par tarre to get the two points for danger position. There is no way back for Yilmaz as Amoyan, the Olympic bronze medalist, wins 3-1 to enter the semifinals at 77kg.

14:53: The Iranian win-rush continues as the country puts all four wrestlers in the semifinals with Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) beating Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 3-1, at 77kg. Abdevali turned Suleymanov from par terre to take the lead and the win.

14:50: Robert FRITSCH (HUN) spoils the bid of local hero Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) to make the 77kg semifinals, scoring a stepout in the first period that proves the difference in a 2-1 victory.

55kg semifinals
SF 1: Emin CAKIR (TUR) vs. Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO)
SF 2: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Payam AHMADI (IRI)

14:42: European bronze medalist Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) is into the world semifinals with a 3-2 victory over Denis MIHAI (ROU). A stepout from Lolua made the difference as he held criteria at 2-2. A lost challenge from Mihai gives another point to Lolua

14:40: In a battle between a 30-something and a teenager, experience wins out, which is not surprising given it involves four-time 55kg world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE). Azizli scores a takedown and gut wrench in the first period against 18-year-0ld Jayden RANEY (USA), who gets his chance on top in par terre in the second, but cannot budge the Azeri, who wins 5-1 to advance to the semifinals.

14:35: Emin CAKIR (TUR) upsets former world bronze medalist Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) at 55kg, with a 9-0 technical superiority win.

14:31: Payam AHMADI (IRI) quickly joins the Iranian parade into the semifinals, needing just 25 seconds to bull Artiom DELEANU (MDA) down to the mat and execute three quick-fire rolls for an 8-0 victory at 55kg.

82kg semifinals
SF 1: Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Karlo KODRIC (CRO) vs. Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI)

14:28: A match for the ages as Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), a former world U17 champion and recent world U20 bronze medalist, beats European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), who is cautioned out of the match. Gurbanov had a 6-2 lead but Yoshida, a powerhouse, keeps pressuring Gurbanov who is struggling with conditioning. A slew of stepouts and Yoshida makes it 8-6. On the stepout with 16 seconds left, Gurbanov receives his third caution and is disqualified from the match, giving Yoshida the win.

14:22: Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) thought he had it covered but Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) scores two turns from the third passivity par terre to beat Tiuliubaev 5-4 and enter the semifinals at 82kg.

14:20: Karlo KODRIC (CRO), perhaps charged up by a vocal block of home fans in the stands nearby, steps over for 2 on a gut wrench attempt by Mihail BRADU (MDA), giving him a 4-1 lead midway through the second period of their 82kg quarterfinal. Kodric gives up a late stepout, but walks off a 4-2 winner.

14:15: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) fights off a whizzer by Ramon BETSCHART (SUI) to secure a takedown, then traps an arm and executes four exposures to advance to the 82kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory in 1:05.

130kg semifinals
SF 1: Darius VITEK (HUN) vs Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW)
SF 2: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) vs Wenhao JIANG (CHN)

14:07: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) with a pair of stepouts and he's into the 130kg quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Jello KRAHMER (GER).

14:05: Darius VITEK (HUN) is the beneficiary of the new Greco-Roman rule in which the wrestler with first passivity point win. He beats Mykola KUCHMII (UKR), 1-1, at 130kg.

14:03: Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW) with an over-under throw for four over Hamza BAKIR (TUR) in the 130kg quarterfinals. Bakir tries to come back with a double-arm lock throw but Hlinchuk blocks and secures the fall.

14:01: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) surprisingly throws world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) for 4 with an arm throw in their 130kg quarterfinal, but any joy is gone in milliseconds as the Iranian rolls through the move and puts Kuosmanen on his back. Mirzazadeh doesn't waste the opportunity and secures the fall in 1:13.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time

13:47: Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) books an Olympic final rematch with Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) with a 7-0 victory over Ihor BYCHKOV (UKR) at 77kg. He scored all his points in the first period and somehow there were no points in the second period.

13:43: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) caps a one-sided 10-0 victory over Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) with a 4-point throw in the second period to secure his berth in the 77kg quarterfinals.

13:37: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) used his head, and not in a good way, and it cost him a shot at a gold medal. Gutu was leading FRITSCH (HUN) 2-0 in their 77kg bout when he was hit with a 2-point penalty for a head butt, which also put him behind on criteria. Fritsch then received a passivity point, and he held on for a 3-2 victory. Ironically, Gutu suffered a head cut from his own action and had to have treatment, including a bandage around his head, which he ripped off and tossed in anger after the match.

13:30: Aleksa ILIC (SRB) almost pulls off a huge upset over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 77kg. Ilic led 5-1 at the break but Zhadrayev, who for the par terre, scored a turn to make it 5-4 but a stepout gave a point to Ilic. Zhadrayev hits a big four-pointer against a tired Ilic his place in the quarterfinal with an 8-6 win.

13:21: World bronze medalist Denis MIHAI (ROU) with a takedown and roll, then a 4-point takedown against an overmatched Alexander CUEVAS (SGP) and he's into the 55kg quarterfinals with an 8-0 victory in just over a minute.

13:10: World U20 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI) gets his debut on the senior level off to an impressive start, manhandling Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a 9-0 win to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals.

13:07: Young Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), the 2024 Asian champion, extricates himself from a 4-point hole, scoring five points in the second period to top Alexander JOHANSSON (SWE) 6-5 at 82kg. Yoshida, who gave up a 4-point arm throw in the first period, pressures Johansson down for two takedowns, then gets a stepout with :54 left to take the lead for the first time.

13:05: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) gets the first of the two passivity calls, and with no other scoring, that makes him a 1-1 winner over Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) at 82kg.

13:04: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) with powerpacked 8-0 technical superiority win over world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) at 82kg. Szilvassy was never allowed to settle down by Farokhi

13:00: Four-time world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) with a 22-second technical superiority over Anil MOR (IND) at 55kg.

12:58: A stepout with 33 seconds left, Hamza BAKIR (TUR) beats Oscar PINO (CUB) 3-1 at 130kg. Bakir led 1-1 on criteria as he was given the first par terre position. But As Pino tried to score a stepout late in the second period, Bakir turned it around and managed to force Pino to put the hand before Bakir himself did. Cuba challenged the call but lost it.

12:52: With calls of 'Karlo! Karlo!' and the banging of drums reverberating throughout the arena, Karlo KODRIC (CRO) is through to the 82kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ).

12:45: Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Razmik KURDYAN (ARM) 4-3, thanks for a successful challenge from Hlinchuk at the end.

12:42: Defending 130kg champion and Olympic bronze medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) gets two gut wrenches off par terre for a 5-0 lead over Marko KOSCEVIC (CRO), much to the dismay of the home crowd. In the second period, Mirzazadeh adds a stepout, then scores a takedown for an 8-0 win with just over two minutes left.

12:36: Four-time Asian medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) rns out of a gas about two minutes to soon, giving Mykola KUCHMII (UKR) two easy takedowns in the second period and a 6-4 win at 130kg.

12:35: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) pulls off the biggest surprise of the session so far, scoring a late takedown to topple Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) 3-3 at 130kg. In the first period, Semenov counters a throw attempt for a 2-point takedown, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge, but Kuosmanen strikes back with a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break. In the second period, a mighty shove sends Semenov down to the mat, and Kuosmanen pounces to secure the takedown and the shocking victory.

12:12: Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) gets the first par terre position in the 77kg bout against Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) and he scores from a throw in which the Kazakhstan wrestlers lands outside the zone. Sarkkinen leads 2-0. Just before the break, Zhadrayev gets a stepout to make it 2-1 Zhadrayev got the par terre in the second period to take a 2-2 criteria lead before getting a exposure for two points. Finland challenges the call. The two points are confirmed and Zhadrayev lead grows to 5-2, which remains the winning score.

12:09: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), a former world champion with three world medals, was about to become the beneficiary of the new rule giving the wrestler who scores the first point in a Greco bout that ends 1-1 the victory, but a late challenge over a last-second move instead makes him a 2-1 winner over Kamal BEY (USA).

12:05: Two-time world U23 champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) gets off to an awesome start, throwing Lai Hsing YAO (TPE) twice with spectacular four and five pointers to start his campaign at 77kg with a 12-0 win.

11:57: A welcome win for the home team. Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) rips off four rolls from par terre and he advances with a 9-0 victory over Hyeonjin KANG (KOR) at 77kg.

11:55: Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) warms up with an 8-0 technical superiority win over AMAN (IND) at 77kg. He is expected to meet Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals if the seeds hold.

11:40: Taiga ONISHI (JPN), whose younger sister Sakura won the women's 59kg gold on Tuesday night, gets a quick takedown, only to have Huoying SHI (CHN) reverse in their opening match at 55kg. Shi goes ahead in the second period with an exposure off an arm throw attempt, then hits a back suplex that is good for another 2. Shi resists a throw attempt and gets another 2, giving him a 7-2 win.

11:19: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI), winner of the Ranking Series event here in Zagreb, has no need to go to par terre. He alternates three takedowns with two stepouts, then gets a point for a denied challenge to defeat Qingzhe LI (CHN) 9-0 in precisely two minutes at 82kg.

11:15: Four-time world medalist Oscar PINO (CUB), his nation's heir apparent at 130kg to legendary five-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB), easily executes a gut wrench from par terre, then is a rock when put on the bottom and he's through with a 3-1 victory over Jacob LOGAARD (SWE).

11:05: Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW), who won 2023 world u23 gold at 97kg, is now at 130kg. He begins his first World Championships at this weight with a 9-0 victory over Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO).

11:00: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), a two-time former Olympic bronze medal who has a world gold from 2018, gets a pair of rolls from par terre and, although Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) managed a reversal after the second one, safely posts a 5-2 victory at 130kg to start the Greco action on Mat D.

10:55: Alexander JOHANSSON (SWE) gets a big win for Sweden as he defeats former European champion and young star Alperen BERBER (TUR) 2-1, at 82kg. Berber is coming back after an injury he suffered at the Mongolian Ranking Series.

USA puts aside Burroughs loss to win World Cup

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World Championships 2025: Day 6 GR 55kg, 77kg, 82kg, 130kg Highlights