#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day four semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- The host country is still riding high on the four Greco-Roman gold medals. But the focus on Tuesday will be the women's weight classes with unbeaten wrestler Yui SUSAKI (JPN) returning to action after her Olympic triumph.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals for the evening session are set

50kg
Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) vs. Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL)

53kg
Dominique PARRISH (USA) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

65kg
Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Jia LONG (CHN)
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL)

76kg
Epp MAE (EST) vs. Samar HAMZA (EGY)
Genesis REASCO (ECU) vs. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) 

13:23: 2021 world medalists Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) and Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) set up a semifinal clash at 50kg with near-identical dominant victories. Hildebrandt chalked up an 11-0 technical fall over Oksana LIVACH (UKR), while moments earlier, Dolgorjav secured a fall over Emilia VUC (ROU) while holding an 11-0 lead. Dolgorjav's win was a repeat of the bronze-medal match last year in Oslo.

13:20: In a battle of Commonwealth Games finalists, Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) proving that her win over Madison PARKS (CAN) in Birmingham was no luck. She leads 6-0 at the break. Parks mounts a comeback in the second period with four points and she cuts the lead to 6-4. A takedown for Parks with just 6 seconds remaining. Nigeria challenges the call. It's only a pushout and one point. A last-second exposure from Parks. It's confirmed but Nigeria challenge again. The time expired before Parks exposed Genesis. She wins 6-5

13:17: This is just ridiculous from Yui SUSAKI (JPN). Just 31 seconds is what she takes to win 10-0 against Anna LUKASIAK (POL) using a leg lace.

13:15: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) leads 3-0 at the break using a takedown and point for passivity against Laura HERIN (CUB). But she gives up one takedown in the second period as Herin cuts the lead to 3-2. Prevolaraki shoots a double and gets the four; 7-2 lead for her now. A takedown for Herin and a stepout but a 7-5  win Prevolaraki.

13:12: 2021 world junior champion Emma MALGREN (SWE) was down 2-2 on criteria when she pancaked Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) to her back and secured the fall in 5:03 and a spot in the 53kg semifinals.

13:10: Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) advances to the 53kg semifinals by injury default when Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) suffers a shoulder injury in the first period.

13:06: Domimique PARRISH (USA) gets a takedown and like most USA wrestlers she rolls to a 10-0 win using a leg lace. She is a World Championships semifinalist.

13:03: Olympic bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR (TUR) holds on for a nail-biting 4-2 victory over Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), 10 years her junior at age 20, to make the 76kg semifinals. Adar scored a takedown with :26 left to go ahead 3-2. In the final seconds, she desperately held onto a leg as Kagami came razor close to gaining control with a cradle. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

13:01: Ecuador has never had a world medalist, and Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) assured she will be wrestling for one at some point tomorrow night when she defeated Juan WANG (CHN) 5-3 to make the 76kg semifinals.

12:57: Returning bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) takes a quick 3-0 lead over Martina KUENZ (AUT). In the second period, Kuenz gets a point for Hamza's passivity. But that's all in the second period. Hamza wins 3-1.

12:53: Returning silver medalist at 76kg Epp MAE (EST) and Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) in the quarterfinals and Mae leads 1-0 at the break. Mae put on the clock in the second period but she gets the shot and takedown after the activity clock before adding a gut to lead 5-1. Shustova got a takedown in the second period but Mae hangs on for a 5-3 win.

12:49: On Mat D, Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN) wrestles another Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE). Long is called for passivity which gives Manolova a 1-0 lead at the break. A takedown for Manovola and she makes it 3-1. With just 10 seconds left, Long gets exposure and one roll to win 5-3 but a challenge from Manolova. But actions are valid and in time. Long wins 6-3.

12:48: 2021 world silver medalist Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), who had a bye into the 65kg quarterfinals, gets a first-period takedown, and that was the extent of the scoring in a 2-0 victory over Mallory VELTE (USA) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Morikawa will face Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), a winner over Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), for a place in the final.

12:40: The 65kg quarterfinals have U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) up against Kriszta INCZE (ROU). Larroque up 1-0 for an activity point against Incze. Single leg shot from Larroque and she gets the takedown and 3-0 lead. Incze gets behind Larroque but it's only confirmed as a stepout. Challenge from Romania. Both wrestlers were out of bounds before the action. 4-1 lead for Larroque. Stepout comfirmed for Larroque. Incze gets one as well but a 5-2 win for Larroque.

12:31: Olympic and world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is looking like she never was on a break. A quick 10-0 win over Thi NGUYEN (VIE) at 50kg.

12:27: Oksana LIVACH (UKR), a 2018 world bronze medalist who was fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, rolls to a 10-0 technical fall in 1:50 over Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) at 50kg. Her reward is a quarterfinal clash with Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA).

12:22: European silver medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) moves into the quarterfinals at 53kg with a fall over Marina RUEDA (ESP). She gets Laura HERIN (CUB) next.

12:20: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT wastes little time grabbing her place in the 50kg quarterfinals, storming to a 10-0 technical fall in :39 over Kamila BARBOSA (BRA).

12:19: Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), still walking a bit gingerly, appears unaffected by her knee injury when the action gets hot, as she rallies from a 4-3 deficit with a 4-point takedown and 2-point gut wrench with :25 to go for a 9-4 victory over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) to make the 53kg quarterfinals.

12:16: Zenep YETGIL (TUR) puts her name in the mix of the favorites to win the gold at 53kg as she picks up an 8-0 win over Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) and a spot in the quarterfinals. 

12:15: Two-time world silver medalist Emilia VUC (ROU) with a 10-0 technical superiority over Neelam SIROHI (IND) using a gut wrench to a great effect.

12:14: Laura HERIN (CUB) hands returning bronze medalist Samantha STEWART (CAN) a 10-0 loss at 53kg. An absolutely strong performance from the Cuban wrestler.

12:10: Martina KUENZ (AUT) did face a fight from Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) but nothing deterred her from controlling the bout. Kuenz picks up a big 10-0 win at 76kg.

12:09: If 2021 world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) makes it back to the medal podium in Belgrade, it will have to be on a lower step after she was dealt a 5-1 defeat by Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) at women's 53kg.

12:03: European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) takes no time in picking up a fall in her first bout at 53kg. Malmgren will be one of the favorites to win the world title.

12:00: Three-time world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST) trails 3-1 against Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) when she turns the tide and puts the Mongolian onto her back and secures the fall and gains a place in the 76kg quarterfinals.

12:00: Returning bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) knocks off former world champion Justina DI SATISO (CAN) 3-1 with a passivity point and takedown.

11:57: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), a former world junior and cadet champion making her debut at the senior worlds, outlasts Francy RAEDELT (GER) 2-1 in a dull bout with all of the points scored on the activity clock to advance to the 76kg quarterfinals.

11:53: Juan WANG (CHN) declares China is indeed back when she knocks off 2021 world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) 7-1 to advance to the 76kg quarterfinals. With the score knotted at 1-1, she scores two counter takedowns in the last 1:20, capping the second one with a lace lock.

11:50: Olympic bronze Yasemin ADAR (TUR) up against Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) and she uses a leg lace to finish the bout in just 1:16 at 76kg.

11:35: Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) pulls off a fall over Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) in the opening round. The veteran still looks for a good run there.

11:29: Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) pulls off the first surprise of the session when she knocks off 2019 world bronze medalist Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) 7-0 at 53kg. Batkhuyag took a 3-0 in the first period, then slammed Phogat backward to the mat in the final seconds for 4.

11:18: Former world champion Justine DI STASIO (CAN) pancakes Thi Linh DANG (VIE) early in their 76kg bout, and when she can't secure a fall, switches to a lace lock. She grinds out four rolls to end the match 10-0 in 1:10.

11:12: Juan WANG (CHN), who returned from a two-year layoff from international to win a tournament in Bucharest in July, defeated Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) 9-1 at women's 76kg to set up a round-of-16 clash with 2021 world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ).

11:01: Veteran Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ), a three-time world medalist from 2007 to 2010 and a 2008 (!) Olympic bronze medalist, falls at women's 65kg to 2020 European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), who scores a takedown and four exposures in the second period for an 11-1 technical fall.

10:55: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) continues her unbeaten record against Dymond GUILFORD (USA). She had two wins against her at the Klippan Open and now she wins at 76kg in Belgrade.

10:50: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), still with a highly strapped knee, begins with a technical superiority win over SHAFALI (IND) at 65kg.

10:29: Greetings from Belgrade to wrestling fans around the world. In today's morning session, save for a handful of repechage matches, the women will command the mats with competition through the quarterfinals at 50kg, 53kg, 65kg and 76kg.

Iran strikes three golds to close ISG 2025

By Vinay Siwach

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 21) -- World champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) led an inspiring performance from Iran which captured three out of four gold medal on the final day of the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh on Friday.

Zare, who won gold medal at 125kg in Zagreb in September, dominated his way to the gold in Riyadh outscoring his opponents 28-0 in three bouts.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) scores a takedown on Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) during the 125kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Facing Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) in the final, Zare combined his skills to score stepouts at win and also scored two takedowns to finish the match 10-0, capturing his fourth gold medal of the season.

Sharipov reached the final after securing a shocking win over world silver medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) 7-6 in the semifinal. Meshvildishvili had to mount a comeback in the second period after he was down 5-1 in the match. He managed to make it 6-6 but trailed on criteria and as he tried to score a stepout in the final 10 seconds, Sharipov managed to remain inside the zone to survive attack.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) tries to control Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 97kg, a rematch between Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and world silver medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) was on the cards but Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) denied that as he defeated Tazhudinov 14-3 in the semifinals.

Azarpira and Aitmukhan faced each other in the final but the former was clearly the better wrestler as he blanked Aitmukhan 5-0 to win the gold medal. He scored three stepouts and Aitmukhan was cautioned when aggressively pushed Azarpira. One more stepout was enough for Azarpira to win the gold medal.

Tazhudinov declared himself injured in the bronze medal bout which gave Olympic bronze medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) the medal.

Younes EMAMI (IRI)Younes EMAMI (IRI) reaches for the leg of Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) during the 74kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's gold rush began when former Asian champion Younes EMAMI (IRI) completed a 5-0 victory over Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Emami scored a takedown to take a 2-0 lead against Novruzov before pushing the Azerbaijan wrestler out of bounds twice before the break.

With a lead of 4-0, Emami began the second period on the aggressive and Novruzov was called passive. He failed to score in the 30-second period and Emami got another point to lead 5-0 which remained the winning score.

To reach the final, Emami had to go through 2024 world 70kg champion Norkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals. The Iranian defeated the Kazakhstan wrestler 6-5 in a thriller.

With the three golds, Iran finished the tournament with four gold medal while Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan won one each.

Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE)Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) celebrates after beating Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) in their opening bout at 86kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Dzhioev's impressive gold

One of Iran's favorite to win gold medal, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), suffered a heartbreaking loss at 86kg to Arsenii DIZHOEV (AZE) who capped off an incredible day with gold after beating Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) 5-1 in the final. 

The win over Ghasempour was quite impressive from Dzhioev. Down 3-0, he scored two takedowns and one point for Ghasempour's passivity to win the bout 5-3.

In the final against Saipudinov, he opened scored a takedown in the opening period after being called passive and giving up a point. He scored two stepouts and one point for passivity in the second period to win the final.

Ghasempour returned to win the bronze medal by beating Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), 7-0, in the bronze-medal bout.

RESULTS

74kg
GOLD: Younes EMAMI (IRI) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 5-0

BRONZE: Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) df. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), 4-2
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR), 4-3

86kg
GOLD: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN), 5-1

BRONZE: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), 7-0
BRONZE: Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ), 10-2

97kg
GOLD: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), 5-0

BRONZE: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Muhammad GULZAR (PAK) df. Rifat GIDAK (TUR), via fall (4-5)

125kg
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), 10-0

BRONZE: Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) df. Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ), 14-3
BRONZE: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Abdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY), 5-0