Yazdani, in league of his own, wins gold in Almaty

Sunday, June 5, 2022 - 18:03 By Vinay Siwach

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 5) -- There had already been a few high-profile finals before Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) stepped on the mat. Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) had won his first-ever Ranking Series gold, U23 world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) had been involved in a 16-point final which he won by fall inside the first period, European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won at 74kg with ease.

But when Yazdani's name was called for the 86kg final, you knew who is the biggest star of the sport. By the time he scored his first takedown against Boris MAKOEV (SVK) in the final, fans had queued up to take a picture with him. The audience had moved towards the athlete's exit to shake his hand. Nothing mattered more than catching a glimpse of Yazdani. A few managed to do it, and some left disappointed.

The world champion was returning to the mat since winning the gold in Oslo seven months back. He had captivated the world by beating David TAYLOR (USA) for the first time in four attempts, a win that relieved some of Yazdani's pain of losing the Tokyo Olympics final to Taylor in the dying moments.

Sunday's final did not have the same stakes on the line. Yazdani was wrestling for a Ranking Series gold against the opponent from the '17 World final which he won. He did not have millions of eyes on him watching and hoping to win against an opponent he has never.

The 27-year-old still put on a show. Like when Makoev got a full shot on a single leg and Yazdani defended it with a stepback and lifted Makoev for exposure for two points. Or when he used his strength to score a double-leg takedown.

"It's been about eight months since I had not taken part in competitions," Yazdani said. "I decided to wrestle at this competition to re-evaluate my weaknesses and keep my body and mind on edge so that I can be fully prepared for the international competitions ahead."

Winning the final 11-0 was just a testimony of how is still in top form and nothing mattered more to any. The fans will forget the comeback from Amir ZARE (IRI) to win the 125kg or how dominant Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was to win the 92kg. All that matters is a Yazdani win.

He first made it past Fatih ERDIN (TUR) 11-0 in the quarterfinals and was then tested by Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) in the semifinals. The Kazakhstan wrestler was the only one who could wrestle Yazdani for more than four minutes but he ultimately lost 12-1.

The final against Makoev only lasted 4:33 but Yazdani put it on record that he is ready for another season and defend his world title in Belgrade, Serbia.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) returned to competition and captured the 86kg gold in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"The level of this competition was good," he said. "There some major Asian and a European wrestlers present who were quite good. My main purpose here was to be on the mat and be able to keep my body prepared and these matches helped me with that purpose quite well."

In little more than three months' time, Yazdani will be in Belgrade, Serbia defending his world title at 86kg. While he did not reveal his future competitions, Yazdani did not rule out being part of a couple before Belgrade.

"If my coach sees fit yes, I would like to compete," he said. "However, after so many months of being away from the mat officially, I got the results I was hoping for and now at this point, I will be willing to do so as long as the coach sees competing in a match fitting."

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) after winning the 92kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

In a similarly dominant fashion, Ghasempour claimed the 92kg gold beating three Kazakhstan wrestlers en route. In his four bouts, the Iran wrestler scored 38 points while not giving up a single one.

Ghasempour had scored a career-defining world title win in Oslo and since then his following has sky-rocketed. In a short time, he has established himself as the top wrestler at 92kg with wins over J'den COX (USA) and Magomedov KURBANOV (RWF).

In Almaty, he started strong with a 10-0 win over Viky CHAHAR (IND) followed by Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ) in Round 2 with a fall after scoring 10-0. In the semifinal, he wrestled Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) and moved into the finals with an 11-0.

Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) had entered the final from the other side and he tried stopping Ghasempour from winning the gold but the Iranian wrestler was on a different level.

He quickly led 4-0 with two takedowns and Davlumbayev was already struggling to keep up. It quickly became 9-0 when Ghasempour scored another takedown and rolled the Kazakhstan wrestler for exposure. The corner challenged the two-point call but lost it.

Davlumbayev managed to delay the loss to the second period but Ghasempour was happy to play it easy and finally won the gold with 2:07 remaining.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won his first-ever Ranking Series gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won his first Ranking Series gold medal at 74kg. While he did not look the most aggressive on the mat, he did not allow his opponents to go through their attacks as well.

In the quarterfinal, he wrestled Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) and despite numerous attempts from the Uzbekistan veteran, he kept his defense intact and pulled off a 3-0 win. The semifinal against Asian silver medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) was a similar affair as the scoreline was 3-1.

From the other side, Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL) had made it to the final and tried using his underhook defense against Salkazanov but that did not work. The World silver medalist was wrestling with such high pressure that Bat-Erdene gave up four stepout points. Salkazanov eventually won 8-0.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) won the 70kg gold after beating Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In a contrasting final at 70kg, U23 world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) recovered from a shock start against Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ) to secure a fall after a 10-7 score.

But he did have a scare at the start when after getting an arm throw for four, teenager Anchugin scored a reversal and a gut wrench. He went for another attack but Akmataliev was ready and defended it with a cartwheel which resulted in Anchugin going out of bounds.

Before Akmataliev could settle down again, Anchugin added two takedowns to take a 7-5 lead. The bout had seen 12 points inside the first two points and it got the local crowd going.

It was at this moment when Akmataliev took a step back and slowed the pace of the bout. The two got in a scramble and Akmataliev scored an exposure and held Anchugin in a cradle to secure the fall with four seconds remaining in the first period.

Akmataliev was all praise for the Kazakhstan wrestler but said that he expected a final of this sort because he is not familiar with his opponent.

"The Kazakhstan wrestler is quite young," Akmataliev said. "I knew he would do something I wouldn’t expect, so I was ready for everything. As I expected, his wrestling was something new to me, he started at a quite high pace. I made a mistake and he caught me, but later I could score back and finally win. I am sure this wrestler will show himself up and well wrestle each other again."

Akmataliev won silver at 70kg in Oslo but he is focused on converting it to gold in Belgrade.

"I was in very good shape in Oslo," he said. "Unfortunately I couldn’t win the gold medal. As soon as we go back from Almaty, we will start training for Belgrade and I’ll do my best to win the gold."

Before Oslo, he also participated in the Tokyo Olympics at 65kg but suffered a 3-3 loss to eventual bronze medalist Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in the opening round. Akmataliev said that if given a chance, he would like to avenge that loss.

"There isn’t any specific wrestler who is really tough, all of them are," he said. "However, I had a very sad loss to Bajrang at Tokyo Olympics, I would like to wrestler him again and take revenge."

Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) defeated Bajrang PUNIA (IND) 5-3 at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Punia's unbeaten run ends

At 65kg, Punia's unbeaten record at five Ranking Series was finally ended as he suffered a shock loss to Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) in the opening round. After getting two points for Rakhmanov's negative wrestling, Punia's looked like a shadow of his old self and failed to get going. Rakhmanov kept up the pressure and ended the first period with 2-2 criteria lead after a takedown.

He was hit with passivity in the second period and then Punia decided to defend his 3-2 lead for a full minute. But Rakhmanov scored two points with exposure in the dying moments of the bout to win for the first time against Punia in the third attempt.

He reached the final against world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) but could repeat his performance from the morning and lost 6-1, giving the Mongolian his first Ranking Series gold.

Punia won the bronze while the other bronze medalist was former U17 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB).

India did win a gold in Almaty as Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) mounted an inspiring comeback against Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) in Round 5 at 57kg.

He trailed 6-0 at one moment but Bazarbayev had little gas left in his tank as Sehrawat continued to attack. He eventually won 10-9 and won gold, an improvement from his bronze in Istanbul.

Kyrgyzstan won the 61kg gold medal after Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) defeated Zhassulan TASKUL (KAZ), 11-0 in a display of high-skilled wrestling.

But the result was reversed at 79kg as Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) beat Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ), 2-1 to win the gold to the home crowds' delight.

The Ranking Series action will now shift Matteo Pellicone to Rome, Italy. The tournament will take place from June 22 to 26.

Results

57kg
Round 5: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) df. Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 10-9
Round 5: Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), via inj. def.

Final standings
GOLD: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)
SILVER: Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
BRONZE: Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)

61kg
GOLD: Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) df. Zhassulan TASKUL (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Yeldos MOMBEKOV (KAZ) df. Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE), 3-0

65kg
GOLD: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB), 6-1

BRONZE: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Komron KHOLOV (TJK), 10-0
BRONZE: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Rifat SAIBOTALOV (KAZ), 7-0

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ), via fall (10-7)

BRONZE: Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) df. Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND), 8-6
BRONZE: Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) df. Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ), 11-9

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Amr Reda HUSSEN (EGY) df. NAVEEN (IND), 5-1
BRONZE: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB), 17-9

79kg
GOLD: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) df. Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), 4-4
BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ), 6-6

86kg
GOLD: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 11-0

BRONZE: Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) df. Nurzhan ISSAGALIYEV (KAZ), 13-2
BRONZE: Fatih ERDIN (TUR) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 4-2

92kg
GOLD: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) df. Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ), 4-2

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olympic Wrestling (@unitedworldwrestling)

European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olympic Wrestling (@unitedworldwrestling)

Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

Podium All four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.

Yazdani, in league of his own, wins gold in Almaty

Comments

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview