Zagreb Open 2025 Day 2: Iran continues domination

Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 09:39 By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 6) -- Zagreb Open day two with four Freestyle weight classes and Women's Wrestling in two weight classes. Day one saw six Freestyle classes with the United States and Iran winning two gold medals each. Azerbaijan and Slovakia won the remaining two.

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13:25: In the women's wrestling semifinal at 55kg, veteran Sam STEWART (CAN) leg laces Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) and wins 12-1. She will face world bronze medalist Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) who got the better of Ekaterina VERVINA (AIN) 5-4.

13:15: Mason PARRIS (USA) holds off Hayden ZILLMER (USA) 4-2 in the 125kg semifinal. But his big test will come in the final against Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) who beats Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) 8-0.

13:05: Kyle SNYDER (USA) back in the Zagreb Open final at 97kg. He blanks Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) 10-0 and he like take on Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) who just about managed to beat Jonathan AIELLO (USA) 6-5 in the other semifinal. Aiello was down 6-3 but added two stepouts and almost got the third but the time ran out.

12:55: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) may have confirmed his European Championships spot at 92kg as he beats Abubakar ABAKAROV (AZE) in the semifinal. Abakarov built a 3-2 but struggled with his shoulder which needed constantly medical attention. He changed the score to 5-4 with a minute remaining but Nurmagomedov scored a takedown to lead 6-5. Abakarov got hold off Nurmagomedov's leg for a good 10 seconds but failed to get a takedown. Nurmagomedov will wrestle Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) in the final

12:40: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) breaks Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) with his pace and wins the 79kg semifinal 4-1. Gamkrelidze got a point for Yousefi's passivity in the first period but the Iranian up the pace in the second period, scoring two stepouts and a takedown on the edge to win 4-1. He will face Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) who defeated Rocco WELSH (USA) 4-2

12:30: Semifinals on day two! Paris Olympian at 86kg Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) is up against U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) at 79kg and Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) has Rocco WELSH (USA).

11:45: Match of the tournament so far! Abubakar ABAKAROV (AZE) has to come back multiple times as Iuza TSERTSVADZE (GEO) threatened to upset him. Tsertsvadze scored a takedown and two turns using a gut wrench to lead 6-0 before Abakarov began the second period with a stepout. He close the differnce to 6-5. Tsertsvadze was on the verge of extending his lead but Abakarov scored a four-pointer using a cut back to make it 9-7. A takedown and turn later, Tsertsvadze led 11-9 but Abakarov hit a single leg attack with 10 seconds left and score the two points needed to win. He is into the 92kg semifinals.

11:41: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) wrestle with so much authority on the mat. No missed shots or efforts which can get countered. Just controls his way, like he did in a 5-0 win against Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) and enter the semifinal at 125kg.

11:35: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) with another controlled win. He gets the better of Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA) 5-0. He will wrestle in the semifinals

11:25: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), coached by his uncle and Olympic champion Sharif SHARIPOV (AZE), puts on a great show of defense and counters to beat Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR) 5-0 at 92kg.

11:22: Paris Olympian Mason PARRIS (USA) faced compatriot Trent HILLGER (USA) in the opening round at 125kg and after a few stutters, he comes out as a 12-3

11:20: Kyle SNYDER (USA) who won a silver medal here in Zagreb last year begins with a 11-0 win over Richard VEGH (HUN) and moves into the semifinal at 97kg.

11:15: World bronze medalist Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) looked rusty to begin with and he got U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) in the first bout. Yousefi pounced on him and won 10-0 inside four minutes at 79kg.

10:55: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) holds off former U20 world champion Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI). Abakarov led 6-1 before giving up a takedown and turn for four points. He still wins 6-5

10:40: Asian champion Amirhossein FIROZPOUR (IRI) kicks off proceedings in dominant fashion. He scores a 11-0 technical superiority win over Zaur BERADZE (GEO) inside the first period.

10:30: Welcome to day two of the Zagreb Open and we have the remaining four Freestyle weight classes in action along with two in Women's Wrestling.

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2026 Women's Wrestling Preview: 53kg Wide Open

Friday, July 10, 2026 - 12:03 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 9) -- Preview for United World Wrestling Budapest Ranking Series 2026.

The 53kg weight class will crown a new world champion in Astana later this year after 2025 world champion Haruna MARUYAMA (JPN) failed to qualify through Japan's domestic trials and Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) moved up to 57kg.

The Budapest Ranking Series, scheduled for July 15-19, will offer an early look at the contenders as many of the world's top wrestlers at 53kg gather for the final Ranking Series event of the year.

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Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN) headlines the field, which also includes world bronze medalist ANTIM (IND), 55kg European champion Andreea ANA (ROU), former European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and United States world team member Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA).

While two leading contenders for the world title, Lucia GUZMAN (ECU) and Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), are not entered, the rest of the field is expected to play a significant role in the medal race in Astana in one of the year's most open weight classes.

Zhang put together a dominant performance at the Asian Championships, highlighted by a victory via fall over Kiyooka. Antim has previous wins over both Zhang and Malmgren and will face another stern test in Budapest while Ana brings considerable international experience. Rodriguez, a former U20 world champion, lost to Guzman at the Pan-American Championships, but her aggressive style continues to make her a difficult opponent.

Joining Zhang on China's team is Yuxuan LI (CHN), a two-time 55kg Asian silver medalist with the ability to upset the favorites. Veteran Roksana ZASINA (POL) is also entered, adding another experienced challenger to the field.

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Tough 68kg Bracket

The 53kg weight class isn't the only one which is offering early insights. The 68kg competition is expected to be equally competitive despite the absence of world champion Ami ISHII (JPN) and bronze medalist Kennedy BLADES (USA).

The field includes Olympic silver medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), former world champion Jia LONG (CHN), 72kg world silver medalist Nesrin BAS (TUR), and former European champion Alina SHAUCHUK (BLR).

Zhumanazarova claimed the Asian title in April and enters Budapest as the favorite, with Long expected to be her biggest challenger. Bas and Shauchuk were set to meet in the European Championships final before the latter withdrew, handing Bas the title.

U23 world champion Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS) will look to win her second consecutive Ranking Series medal after taking silver at the Ulaanbaatar Open. Both European bronze medalists, Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) and Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE), also add depth to the field.

Bullen vs Tandelova II (WATCH: Bullen's Insane Comeback)

A rematch of this year's European Championships final could take place at 62kg after Grace BULLEN (NOR) produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season, rallying from a 9-1 deficit to pin Amina TANDELOVA (RUS).

They will be joined by a strong field that includes former world champion Qi ZHANG (CHN), world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), and European medalists Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR). The field also includes Pan-Am champion Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) and former U20 world champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN), who will have the backing of the home crowd.

Nichita Returns

Olympic silver medalist Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) will compete for the first time in nearly two years. Nichita, who became a mother after the Paris Olympics, returns at 59kg as she begins another Olympic cycle.

While she will be expected to win, making her return challenging will be Asian bronze medalist NEHA (IND), former world medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR), European champion Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), veteran Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), among others in the field.

Wrestling Kexin HONG (CHN) Kexin HONG (CHN) is the Asian champion at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

China's Depth

Two Chinese wrestlers, Kexin HONG (CHN) and Mengyu XIE (CHN), could dominate the 57kg bracket. Both Asian champions, at 57kg and 59kg respectively, Hong and Xie will be challenged by European silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR), European bronze medalist Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), and Amanda MARTINEZ (USA).

India is sending age-group world medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) and U20 world champion TAPSYA (IND).

European champion Oksana LIVACH (UKR) enters as the favorite at 50kg but Olympic and Asian bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) is among the strongest wrestlers in the weight class and will be a marquee match-up if the two meet.

Other top wrestlers include Pan-American champion Katie GOMEZ (USA) and Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RUS), capable of upsetting the favorites. Canada has an interesting entry with former 53kg U17 world champion Kaura COLES (CAN), who is making her senior UWW debut at 50kg.

Four extremely talented wrestlers are entered at 72kg with former world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), European silver medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), Zagreb Open silver medalist Diksha MALIK (IND) and U23 Asian champion Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ). With only three medals available, one of those four contenders will leave Budapest empty-handed.

Note: This preview was uploaded before Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) pulled out of the competition.