#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics in Photos: Japan show, Lopez retirement and shockers

By Vinay Siwach

PARIS (December 18) -- The 2024 Paris Olympic Games turned out to be history in wrestling. From surprise winners to retirements, there was a lot. The legend of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) grew, first-time Olympians made it to the podium and a few medal hopefuls went empty-handed.

Here's a trip down the memory lane with photos:

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

In the 128-year history of the Summer Olympics, no athlete had ever won five gold medals in the same event in any sport. Until Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) did it in Paris. The Greco-Roman legend put on a show in Paris and won four bouts to win the gold medal.

The 41-year-old went around the Champs de Mars Arena celebrating with anyone and everyone. There will be no sixth gold as Lopez took off his wrestling shoes and left them in the middle of the mat, the universal sign of a wrestler's decision to end his career. Lopez was at his best at describing his five gold medals: "Beijing: youth. London: transcendence. Rio: effort. Tokyo: sacrifice. Paris: joy."

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

The only time Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) looked troubled in Paris was when Sahab SHARIATI (AZE), a veteran himself at 35, managed to lift the Cuban off the mat. No one else managed to do this. Even world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who lost to Lopez in the quarterfinals, decided not to force the par terre and resume the bout in standing. Shariati, however, could not score. Lopez put on a stiff resistance and when Shariati tried to force a roll, Lopez nimbly stepped over and gained control for a one-point reversal.

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)

The Paris Olympics had not thrown any big surprises on day one. However, day two could not have had a more chaotic start. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), unbeaten internationally and going for her second straight Olympic gold, was stunned in the opening round itself. Susaki had not given up a single point in Tokyo. However, VINESH (IND) secured a 3-2 win in 50kg. The shock in Susaki's eyes and Vinesh's disbelief tell the story of the match, Susaki's first-ever loss.

Susaki would come back to win a bronze medal but the situation changed dramatically for Vinesh as she failed to make the 50kg weight on second day and was disqualified.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)

As far as heartbreaks go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Iran suffered a big one. For long, Yazdani was troubled by his shoulder, and he got it operated three months before the Olympics. He seemed well at the Budapest Ranking Series and was the favorite to win gold in Paris. All seemed well for Yazdani as he reached the final. But that was it.

Wrestling Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) in the 86kg final, Yazdani dislocated his shoulder moments after the start of the final. Throughout the final, Yazdani took several medical timeouts and could not wrestle to his potential. He ended up with another silver, his second in two successive Olympics.

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) could not but Paris was Japan's Olympics in wrestling. One of its biggest stars was Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who won the gold medal at 53kg at the age of 20 years. When she won the final, she had a 137-bout winning streak. She gave up only two points in the tournament. Fujinami is the phenom.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)

Japan won eight gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Kiyooka KIYOOKA (JPN), who won gold at 65kg, started wrestling at age three at a kids wrestling club in Kochi City on the central island of Shikoku. It was there he first met the two-year-old daughter of the club's coach. Her name is Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), and she won the women's 57kg gold the previous day.

Japan finished its best-ever tournament with a total of eight golds, one silver and two bronzes from the 13 weight classes in which the country had qualified. With Kiyooka's victory, Nippon Sports Science University students and alumni combined for five golds, more than double any other country.

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) also won gold. But at one point she was in trouble of losing her semifinal. Trailing against Grace BULLEN (NOR), Motoki was stuck in a trip from outside. A throw would have ended her dream of winning gold. Bullen was ready to create history...

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

... But Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) countered it. And did it in a way that stunned the arena. As Grace BULLEN (NOR) was putting forward pressure, Motoki locked her arms and threw her over. Bullen landed on her back and Motoki kept her on the mat to secure a fall. When all was looking good for Bullen, Motoki found a way to upset her.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)

Grace BULLEN (NOR) did create history eventually. She defeated Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in the 62kg bronze medal and became Norway's first Olympic medalist in women's wrestling. Bullen always had the potential to be an Olympic medalist, but it took a change of environment, coaches, and weight classes to finally be one.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

Moldova also had some Olympic history in wrestling. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) was all but out of her semifinal against Kexin HONG (CHN) who was gut-wrenching Nichita and led 7-0. But Nichita stepped over and stopped another attempt of Hong's turn. And that's when she pinned Hong and entered the 57kg final, becoming Moldova's first-ever Olympic medalist.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)

In Freestyle, there was more history. Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at 65kg a day after Cherman VALIEV (ALB) won the same medal at 74kg. While Valiev was the first-ever Olympic medalist for Albania in any sport, Valiev too was part of this history. And he won the bronze medal with a stunning last-second win over world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)

There were a slew of retirements as well in Paris. Apart from the aforementioned Lopez's retirement, another major one was that of Zhan BELENUIK (UKR). He won a bronze medal at 87kg in Greco-Roman, completing his set of medals. Beleniuk won a silver medal in 2016 Rio Games, improved to gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and capped off his career with bronze. His name will forever be etched in the Ukrainian history.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Taha AKGUL (TUR) also retired. The 2016 Rio Olympic champion in Freestyle 125kg added bronze in Tokyo and Paris before leaving his shoes on the mat. In a rare event, Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ), Akgul's opponent in the bronze medal bout, also removed his shoes. A double retirement at Olympics.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

A few moments after the double retirement at 125kg, the final of the weight class was pure drama and thrill. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) was up against world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) for the gold medal. Petriasvhili had lost the Tokyo final to Gable STEVESON (USA) in the final second when the American scored a takedown to beat the Georgian.

Petriashvili was so determined this time that he came out all guns blazing. He scored a takedown and got Zare in par terre and rolled him for a 10-0 superiority win. Zare was stunned and so was everyone in the arena. Iran challenged the final turn and as it turned out, Zare's head was indeed outside the zone before the final turn. The score was changed to 8-0 and now Petriashvili had to do it again.

Zare, with his high-paced wrestler, troubled Petriashvili who was warned for fleeing and passivity. But call it destiny if you may, Petriashvili won the final 10-9 and the gold medal which eluded him and left a giant like Petriashvili crying at the podium in Tokyo.

He celebrated, as seen in the photo, gesturing towards Zare as if he is wearing the crown, a celebration made popular by Zare himself.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) had long been one-half of an elite duo in the 125kg class with rival Taha AKGUL (TUR). The two had a stranglehold on the global title from 2014 to 2019, until Gable STEVESON (USA) broke the streak at the Tokyo Olympics and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) won the world title in 2021. There will be no more battles between the two. Akgul retired after winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August. Akgul celebrated his 15-year rivalry with Petriashvili and said that both of them are 'legends'. Here's Petriashvili giving a send off to Akgul on the podium.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

More podium stories from Paris. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), Bahrain's first-ever wrestling champion, proudly stands on top after winning gold at 97kg. Two of the biggest names at 97kg are missing from this. We will let you take a guess.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)

That's Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) after winning the gold medal in Greco-Roman 97kg. But his coach Hassan HOSSEIN ZADEH sneaked past the security and joined him on the podium.

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR)

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), with one open eye, won silver in GR 67kg weight class and at the podium, he brought the cutest singlet. He dedicated his medal to his newborn son. Things that matter!

Podium

That's a selfie from the Greco-Roman 77kg podium. Maybe a retake?

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)

The Greco-Roman 77kg weight class was wild. Nao KUSAKA (JPN) won gold but no one expected Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) to his opponent in the final. But Zhadrayev pulled out a performance of lifetime to reach there. His biggest win was over world champion and returning Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Here he is throwing Makhmudov using the front lock which sealed the bout for him.

Razambek JAMALOV (UZB)

Another top move from Paris and what courage from Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) to pull it off. Wrestling in the 74kg final, Jamalov got Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the cradle and secured a first-period fall to win the gold medal.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

There are always some great camaraderie among wrestlers. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) displayed that when he carried Sabah SAHRIATI (AZE) on his shoulders after the latter retired.

The 130kg wrestler won bronze after beating Shariati. Instead of celebrating, he saw Shariati, a bronze medalist from 2016 Rio Olympics, leave his shoes on the mat to mark his retirement from the sport. As he was about to leave the mat, Mirzazadeh congratulated Shariati and lifted him on his shoulder for a lap on the mat. As the crowd cheered, Mirzazadeh moved swiftly in a circle, carrying an over 130kg wrestler to give a fitting end to a long career. But Mirzazadeh's gesture towards Shariati has a deeper reason. Shariati was born in Kurdistan, Iran and wrestled for Iran before wrestling for Azerbaijan from 2013.  Soon after the first lap, even the Iranian coaches joined them and all of them completed another lap as the Champs de Mars Arena crowd gave them thunderous applause.

DPR Korea

Two DPR Korea wrestler congratulating each other after they won their respective bouts. Sol gum PAK (PRK) had defeated Nisha DAHIYA (IND) at 68kg while Se ung RI (PRK) had stunned Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in Greco-Roman 60kg and both met as they got off the mat. The two would later go on two win bronze medals in their respective weight classes as Pak became the first woman from DPR Korea to win an Olympic wrestling medal.

Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)

Olympics are hard. Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) gives an example.