#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open Ranking Series day two finals set

By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 2) -- The Zagreb Open enters its second day with four freestyle and two women's wrestling weight classes. World and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will be in action with a potential semifinal clash against Mariya STADNIK (AZE). In freestyle, Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) are also in action. The wrestlers have a two-kilogram weight allowance and will be awarded prize money for winning medals at this Ranking Series.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session are set

79kg
Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) vs. Ali Bakhtiar SAVADKOUHI (IRI)

92kg
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Kollin MOORE (USA)

97kg
Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)

125kg
Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) 

WW 50kg
Jiang ZHU (CHN) vs. Yui SUSAKI (JPN)

WW 55kg
Round 5: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA)

13:00: Little anti-climatic finish to the morning session in Zagreb. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) pulls out of the semifinal against Yui SUSAKI (JPN). The 50kg final will feature Susaki and Jiang ZHU (CHN).

12:45: Moving into the 97kg final is Kyle SNYDER (USA) as he beats Radoslaw BARAN (POL) 10-0. He will face Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the final who defeated Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) 10-0 in the other semifinal

12:35: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) moves into the final at 125kg after a controlled 9-2 win over Daniel LIGETI (HUN). He will face Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) for the gold medal. Meshvildishvili defeated Georgi IVANOV (BUL) via fall in the other semifinal 

12:15: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is up against world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) on Mat B. The strength from Stadnik to score the first takedown! She gets to a single leg and despite the defense from Dolgorjav, she manages to score two points. Another strong tackle from Stadnik and she leads 4-0. She has slowed down since, trying to disperse the pressure from Dolgorjav. Stadnik gives up a stepout, and is cautioned for locking fingers but she does well to defend the rest of the bout and win 6-2.

12:00: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) moves into the semifinals at 50kg with a technical superiority win over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB). While she has won every World Championships and Olympics, Susaki is chasing a second Olympic gold in Paris.

11:40: After a 17-month absence, Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is back! She quickly moves into the quarterfinals at 50kg with a technical superiority over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB). She could clash with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in the semifinal.

11:30: Kollin MOORE (USA) gave world bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) a tough time in the 92kg quarterfinals. Moore with an 8-3 win to advance to the semifinals.

11:15: Back-to-back falls at 50kg on Mat A. First Ziqi FENG (CHN) pins Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) before Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) pins Meng FAN (CHN).

10:55: On Mat B, Ali SAVAKOUHI (IRI) rolls to a technical superiority win over Peilong LI (CHN) at 79kg. He is the favorite to win the gold here.

10:50: On Mat A, Kyle SNYDER (USA) is up against Mogomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE). Snyder gets the point for Magomedov's passivity. But the Azerbaijan wrestler manages to circle behind and score a takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. A front lift for exposure for Magomedov in the second period, Snyder with a reversal. Snyder is building the pressure and Magomedov cannot keep up. Snyder with two takedowns to lead 6-4. A stepout for Snyder. A fierce battle between the two but Snyder wins 7-4.

10:45: At 97kg, Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) and Nishan Preet RANDHAWA (CAN) are wrestling. Azarpira with a stepout. Azarpira with some constant attacks and he moves to an 11-0 win.

10:30: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) is the favorite to win the 125kg weight class. He begins respecting that tag and wins 10-0 against Milan KORCSOG (HUN).

10:15: U23 and U20 world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) gives a peek into what this day may look like. She wins 10-0 against Laura STANELYTE (LTU) at 55kg. Japan is returning to a Ranking Series event after five years.

10:00: Welcome to the second day of the Zagreb Open with freestyle 79kg, 92kg, 97kg and 125kg along with women's wrestling 50kg and 55kg.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.