Buchanan Over Yazdani for Zagreb Open Gold

On the second day at the 2026 Zagreb Open, it was a relative newcomer to the international freestyle ranks who made the biggest impact for the American contingent. 2025 NCAA champion Stephen Buchanan brought home the gold medal at 97 kg with an impressive 13-3 tech fall victory over 2016 Olympic champion and three-time world champion Hassan Yazdani of Iran. 

Buchanan trailed 2-1 at the break but blew the match open in the second period with a four-point maneuver from the quad pod position. He continued to build on the lead and eventually moved into match-stoppage territory.  The win comes in only Buchanan’s second international competition. 

To advance to the gold medal match, Buchanan posted a win via fall, a tech, and a 14-7 victory. 

Also advancing to the championship finals on Thursday were Dean Hamiti, Trent Hidlay, and Wyatt Hendrickson. Hidlay did not compete in the gold medal match. Hamiti suffered a 4-4 loss on criteria to France’s Zelimkhan Khadjiev. Hendrickson lost via fall to Bahrain’s Shamil Sharipov. 

There were also a pair of women’s weights conducted on Thursday - 50 and 55 kg. At 50 kg, Kendra Ryan had the misfortune of drawing the eventual champion from Japan in the opening round. That brought her into repechage where she fell in her only match. 

At 55 kg, a pair of American women collided with a bronze medal on the line. Areana Villaescusa shut out Amani Jones, 4-0 to collect her medal. Villaescusa took a lead on a pair of shot clock violations and used a second period takedown to seal the deal. 

Friday will see more action in women’s freestyle (59/62/65/68 kg) and Greco-Roman (63/67 kg).