InterMat Staff

Bremerton

Final Results Team Scores 1) United States 133 2) Iran 104 3) Georgia 80 4) Kazakhstan 74 5) Azerbaijan 66 57 kg Gold Medal Match: Stevan Micic (Serbia) over Rei Higuchi (Japan) 7-4 Bronze Medal Match: Arsen Harutyunyan (Armenia) over Meirambek Kartbay (Kazakhstan) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match: Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania) over Zavur Uguev (AIN - Russia) 4-4 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Zavur Uguev (AIN - Russia) over Meirambek Kartbay (Kazakhstan) 4-0 61 kg Gold Medal Match - Vito Arujau (USA) over Abasgadzhi Magomedov (AIN - Russia) 10-9 Bronze Medal Match - Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan) over Kodai Ogawa (Japan) 2-1 Bronze Medal Match - Shota Phartenadze (Georgia) over Valentyn Bliasetskyi (Ukraine) 5-5 65 kg Gold Medal Match: Iszmail Musukaev (Hungary) over Sebastian Rivera (Puerto Rico) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match: Shamil Mamedov (AIN - Russia) over Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran) 8-6 Bronze Medal Match: Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia) over Maxim Sacultan (Moldova) 5-1 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran) over Maxim Sacultan (Moldova) 10-0 70 kg Gold Medal Match - Zain Retherford (USA) over Amirmohammad Yazdani (Iran) 8-5 Bronze Medal Match - Ramazan Ramazanov (Bulgaria) over Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan) 8-6 Bronze Medal Match - Arman Andreasyan (Armenia) over Abhimanyou (UWW - India) 12-1 74 kg Gold Medal Match: Zaurbek Sidakov (AIN - Russia) over Kyle Dake (USA) 10-7 Bronze Medal Match: Daichi Takatani (Japan) over Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece) Fall 3:38 Bronze Medal Match: Khetig Tsabolov (Serbia) over Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) 6-4 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece) over Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) 9-8 79 kg Gold Medal Match: Akhmed Usmanov (AIN - Russia) over Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (Georgia) 4-1 Bronze Medal Match: Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (Iran) over Orkhan Abasov (Azerbaijan) 10-0 Bronze Medal Match: Vasyl Mykhailov (Ukraine) over Bolat Sakayev (Kazakhstan) 3-1 86 kg Gold Medal Match - David Taylor (USA) over Hassan Yazdani (Iran) 5:57 Bronze Medal Match - Myles Amine (San Marino) over Javrail Shapiev (Uzbekistan) 8-5 Bronze Medal Match - Azamat Dauletbekov (Kazakhstan) over Magomed Sharipov (Bahrain) 5-3 Olympic Quota Qualifying - Javrail Shapiev (Uzbekistan) over Magomed Sharipov (Bahrain) 3-1 92 kg Gold Medal Match: Rizabek Aitmukhan (Kazakhstan) over Osman Nurmagomedov (Azerbaijan) 5-2 Bronze Medal Match: Feyzullah Akturk (Turkey) over Miriani Maisuradze (Georgia) 5-3 Bronze Medal Match: Zahid Valencia (USA) over Arash Yoshida (Japan) 11-0 97 kg Gold Medal Match: Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain) over Magomedkhan Magomedov (Azerbaijan) Fall 2:50 Bronze Medal Match: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia) FFT Bronze Medal Match: Givi Matcharasvhili (Georgia) over Ibrahim Cift (Turkey) 6-2 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Ibrahim Cift (Turkey) over Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia) FFT 125 kg Gold Medal Match - Amir Zare (Iran) over Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match - Taha Akgul (Turkey) over Daniel Ligeti (Hungary) 5-0 Bronze Medal Match - Mason Parris (USA) over Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) 12-2 Olympic Quota Qualifying - Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) over Daniel Ligeti (Hungary) 8-3

Punxsutawney

It didn’t take long for Princeton University to find its next head wrestling coach. And they didn’t have to look very far either. Just over a week after news broke that Stanford had hired Chris Ayres to be their new head coach, Princeton announced today that associate head coach Joe Dubuque is the 11th head wrestling coach in school history. Dubuque has been a member of the Princeton coaching staff for the last ten years. During that time, the Tigers have won an Ivy League title for the first time since 1986, they have put 10 wrestlers on the NCAA podium including two national finalists in 2022 and the program’s first NCAA champion since 1951 earlier this year. A college 125 lber himself, Dubuque worked closely with Princeton’s 125 lb NCAA champion Patrick Glory, who finished as one of the most decorated wrestlers in program history. Glory earned NCAA All-American honors on three occasions and was a three-time EIWA champion. Dubuque wrestled collegiately at Indiana where he was a three-time All-American and two-time national champion. He was famous for coming up big when the stakes were the highest, as Dubuque earned a pair of NCAA titles, yet never made the Big Ten finals. Dubuque was coaching at his alma mater before coming to Princeton to coach in his home state. He also spent time on the Hofstra coaching staff. The last few weeks have been wild on the collegiate coaching front. We’ve seen vacancies at North Carolina, Stanford, and Princeton; however, Dubuque’s hiring should bring this game of musical chairs to rest for now. With Dubuque being elevated to head coach, it should keep some stability with the Princeton program. While it’s not necessarily common for wrestlers to transfer from an Ivy League school like Princeton, there may have been some Class of 2024 recruits who would have reconsidered their options had the school hired a coach from the outside. That’s important as Princeton currently has six Big Boarder’s committed from the Class of 2024.

We’re right in the middle the 2023 Senior World Championships, so it’s time to wrap up our previews for the event. Our men’s and women’s freestyle previews have already been released, so it’s time to finish with the second part of our Greco-Roman preview. The 2023 Greco-Roman team is a good mix of grizzled veterans and new promising faces. This year’s team does not feature any past Senior world medalists, but what better time than now with Olympic qualification also on the line. Below are the entries at each of the last five weights, along with some of their notable achievements, pre-seeds, information on the American entry, and 2022 medalists. 77kg Pavel LIAKH (AIN - BLR) - 2x World 9th Place, 2017 European Silver Medalist Adlet TIULIUBAEV (AIN - RUS) Kevin KUPI (ALB) Abd OUAKALI (ALG) - 3x African Champion Francisco KADIMA (ANG) Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) - 2021 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 2022 U23 World Champion, 2x European Champion Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) - 2021 World Silver Medalist, 2019 U23 World Silver Medalist, 2020 European Champion Joilson RAMOS (BRA) Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) - 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Bronze Medalist Rui LIU (CHN) - 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist, 2022 World 9th Place Jair CUERO (COL) - 3x Pan-American Silver Medalist Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) - 2021 European Bronze Medalist Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) - 3x Pan-American Champion, 2020(1) Olympic 10th Place Oldrich VARGA (CZE) Oliver KRUEGER (DEN) - 2023 European 5th Place Mohamed KHALIL (EGY) - 2x African Champion Marcos SANCHEZ (ESP) Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) - 2023 European U23 Champion Johnny BUR (FRA) - 2018 European U23 Silver Medalist Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) - 2020 European Silver Medalist Deni NAKAEV (GER) - 2022 U20 World Champion Georgios PREVOLARAKIS (GRE) Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2020 European Silver Medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) - 3x World Bronze Medalist, 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place, 2x Asian Silver Medalist Riccardo ABBRESCIA (ITA) Amro SADEH (JOR) Nao KUSAKA (JPN) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2020 Asian 5th Place Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) - 2017 World Silver Medalist, 2018 Asian Silver Medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) - 2020(1) Olympic Silver Medalist, 2022 World Champion, 2x Asian Champion Daekun PARK (KOR) Paulius GALKINAS (LTU) - 2019 World 7th Place, 2019 European U23 5th Place Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) - 2022 U23 World Silver Medalist, 2023 European 5th Place Emmanuel BENITEZ (MEX) Per Anders KURE (NOR) Patryk BEDNARZ (POL) - 2022 European U23 5th Place Viktor NEMES (SRB) - 2022 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,3), 3x European Silver Medalist Fabio DIETSCHE (SUI) Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) - 2022 European 5th Place, 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist Toyly ORAZOV (TKM) Yunus BASAR (TUR) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Silver Medalist Dmytro VASETSKYI (UKR) - 2x U23 World 5th Place Gurpreet SINGH (UWW) - 2019 Asian Silver Medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) - 2019 World Silver Medalist, 2018 Asian Bronze Medalist Wuileixis RIVAS (VEN) - 2014 Pan-American Champion 77 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) #2 Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) #3 Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) #4 Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) #5 Rui LIU (CHN) #6 Viktor NEMES (SRB) #7 Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) #8 Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (10) Malkhas Amoyan (ARM), Sanan Suleymanov (AZE), Aik Mnatsakanian (BUL), Zoltan Levai (HUN), Mohammadali Geraei (IRI), Demeu Zhadrayev (KAZ), Akzhol Makhmudov (KGZ), Viktor Nemes (SRB), Yunus Basar (TUR), Aram Vardanyan (UZB) The American Entry: Kamal Bey 77 kg always tends to be one of the premier Greco-Roman weights and the 2023 crop doesn’t disappoint. On the American side, we have one of our most exciting Greco athletes in Kamal Bey. Bey is now a part of his third Senior world team and still seeking his first medal at this level. He was a Junior world champion in 2017 (beating the current, defending world champion in the finals), so Bey does have a history against some of the top contenders at this weight. Bey is back on the world team after an impressive spring/summer. At the US Open, 2009 World Bronze medalist Aliaksandr Kikiniou emerged as a potential threat to his spot on the world team. Bey, however, only needed :33 seconds to roll to a tech fall. The two would meet at Final X and Bey put together another 9-0 tech, combined with a 5-1 win in match two to take the series, Internationally, Bey has shined in 2023. Shortly after the Open, Bey claimed his first Senior Pan-American title. Two months later, Bey made the finals in Hungary after defeating the returning world silver medalist at this weight. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Akzhol Makhmudov (KGZ) Silver: Zoltan Levai(HUN) Bronze: Malkas Amoyan (ARM) Bronze: Yunus Basar (TUR) 82kg Stanislau SHAFARENKA (AIN - BLR) - 2017 U23 World 5th Place, 2019 European U23 Bronze Medalist Aues GONIBOV (AIN - RUS) - 2019 Junior World Silver Medalist Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) - 2021 European U23 Bronze Medalist Aker SCHMID AL OBAIDI (AUT) - 2020(1) Olympic 8th Place Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) - 2021 World Champion, 3x World Medalist (1,2,3), 2x European Champion Halishan BAHEJIANG (CHN) Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) - 2016 Olympic 5th Place, 2013 European Bronze Medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) - 2018 U23 World Champion, 2x U23 World Medalist (1,2), 2022 World 5th Place Idris Hanpasaevic IBAEV (GER) - 2021 U23 World Champion Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) - 2017 U23 World Champion, 2019 European Bronze Medalist Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) - 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist Sultan Ali Mohd Damen EID (JOR) - 2020 Asian 5th Place Shohei YABIKU (JPN) - 2020(1) Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2018 Asian 5th Place Dias KALEN (KAZ) - 2x Asian Silver Medalist, 2022 World 9th Place Beksultan NAZARBAEV (KGZ) - 2022 Asian U23 Champion Sejin YANG (KOR) Mihail BRADU (MDA) - 3x European 5th Place Jose Andres VARGAS RUEDA (MEX) - 2020 Pan-American Silver Medalist Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 European U23 Bronze Medalist Kristoffer Zakarias BERG (SWE) - 2021 World 7th Place Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) - 2022 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 2023 European Champion Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Silver Medalist Sajan BHANWALA (UWW) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 Asian 5th Place Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) - 2023 Asian 5th Place 82 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) #2 Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) #3 Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) #4 Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) #5 Dias KALEN (KAZ) #6 Alireza Azizkhoon MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) #7 Mihail BRADU (MDA) #8 Kristoffer Zakarias BERG (SWE) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (4) Rafig Huseynov (AZE), Shohei Yabiku (JPN), Burhan Akbudak (TUR), Yaroslav Filchakov (UKR) The American Entry: Spencer Woods 2022 saw Spencer Woods inserted as a late replacement for Ben Provisor, which accounted for his first Senior World experience. This year, Woods is “the guy” without any questions and has been able to prepare as such for the last three months. Woods put himself in the driver’s seat for another world team berth after he downed Provisor at the US Open, 4-3. Most assumed another round of Woods/Provisor; however, Provisor didn’t make it through the World Team Trials, Ryan Epps did. Woods and Epps split the first two bouts at Final X, but Woods came through and locked up the world team berth with a 5-0 victory in the rubber match. After winning the Open, Woods went to the Pan-American Championships and went unbeaten in his round-robin matches without surrendering a point. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Burhan Akbudak (TUR) Silver: Jalgasbay Berdimuratov (UZE) Bronze: Tamas Levai (HUN) Bronze: Yaroslav Filchakov (UKR) 87kg Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN - BLR) - 2021 World Silver Medalist, 2019 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 European Silver Medalist Savelii BORISOV (AIN - RUS) Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) - 5x African Champion, 2020(1) Olympic 7th Place Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM) - 2022 U23 World Silver Medalist, 2021 European U23 Bronze Medalist Lukas STAUDACHER (AUT) Islam ABBASOV (AZE) - 2x U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2019 European Silver Medalist Ronisson BRANDAO (BRA) - 2x Pan-American Bronze Medalist Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) - 2020 European Champion, 2x U23 World Champion Haitao QIAN (CHN) - 2019 World Bronze Medalist, 2019 Asian Bronze Medalist Carlos MUNOZ (COL) - 2020 Pan-American Silver Medalist Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) - 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place, 2017 U23 World Silver Medalist Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) - 3x Pan-American Champion, 2020(1) Olympic 9th, 2x U23 World Medalist (2,3) Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) - 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place, 2x African Champion Andreas VAELIS (EST) Toni METSOMAEKI (FIN) - 2019 European U23 5th Place Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) - 2019 World Champion, 3x World Medalist (1,3 x2), 2019 European Silver Medalist Hannes WAGNER (GER) - 2021 World 9th Place, 2x European Bronze Medalist Ilias PAGKALIDIS (GRE) - 2023 European U23 5th Place David LOSONCZI (HUN) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 U23 World Silver Medalist Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) - 2022 World 5th Place, 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 3x Asian Champion Mirco MINGUZZI (ITA) - 2022 European 5th Place Masato SUMI (JPN) - 2018 Asian Silver Medalist Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) - 2022 World 8th Place, 2014 Asian Champion John OMONDI (KEN) Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) - 2020 Asian Silver Medalist, 2022 Asian U23 Silver Medalist Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) - 2019 World 14th Place Martynas NEMSEVICIUS (LTU) - 2018 U23 World 9th Place, 2018 European U23 Bronze Medalist Viorel BURDUJA (MDA) Daniel VICENTE (MEX) - 2022 Pan-American Champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 European U23 Champion, 2021 U20 World Champion Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) - 2022 U23 World Champion, 2023 European U23 Silver Medalist Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist Nicu OJOG (ROU) - 2022 European Silver Medalist Mario VUKOVIC (SRB) Ramon BETSCHART (SUI) - 2021 U23 World Silver Medalist Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) - 2019 World Silver Medalist, 2020 European Bronze Medalist Azym ANNAMAMMEDOV (TKM) Ali CENGIZ (TUR) - 2022 World 3rd Place, 2023 European Silver Medalist Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) - 2020(1) Olympic Champion, 2x Olympic Medalist (1,2), 2x World Champion, 4x World Medalist (1 x2, 2,3) Manoj KUMAR (UWW) Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) - 2x World Medalist (2,3), 2021 Asian Champion Luis AVENDANO (VEN) - 87 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Ali CENGIZ (TUR) #2 David LOSONCZI (HUN) #3 Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) #4 Naser Ghasem ALIZADEH (IRI) #5 Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) #6 Semen Sergeevich NOVIKOV (BUL) #7 Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) #8 Kumar SUNIL (IND) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (9) Kiryl Maskevich (AIN - BLR), Haitao Qian (CHN), Lasha Gobadze (GEO), David Losonczi (HUN), Arkadiusz Kulynycz (POL), Alex Kessidis (SWE), Ali Cengiz (TUR), Zhan Beleniuk (UKR), Jalgasbay Berdimuratov (UZB) The American Entry: Zac Braunagel The NCAA star from Illinois gets his first crack at the Senior World level as Zac Braunagel emerged from an unpredictable 87 kg weight class domestically. Braunagel was a respectable third place at the US Open behind Olympic John Stefanowicz and returning World Team member Alan Vera. Braunagel clinched a spot in Final X after winning a pair of bouts at the Trials without surrendering a point. After going in the hole by losing a 10-0 tech to Vera in bout one at Final X, Braunagel battled back with a 6-5 win in match two. In that bout, Braunagel battered Vera to the point where he had to forfeit in match three. After winning the Final X spot, Braunagel competed in Hungary. Though he lost his only bout, it was a tight 2-1 affair against three-time World/Olympic medalist Rafig Huseynov of Azerbaijan. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Zurabi Datunashvili (GEO) Silver: Turpal Bisultanov (DEN) Bronze: David Losonczi (HUN) Bronze: Ali Cengiz (TUR) 97kg Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN - BEL) - 2021 U17 World Champion Artur SARGSIAN (AIN - RUS) 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 U23 World Champion Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG) - 4x African Champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) - 5x World/Olympic Champion, 3x Olympic Medalist (1,2,3), 9x World/Olympic Medalist Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 U23 European Silver Medalist Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist Igor ALVES DE (BRA) - 2023 Pan-American Bronze Medalist, 2022 U23 World 5th Place Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL) - 2x World Silver Medalist, 2022 European Champion Yiming LI (CHN) - 2023 Asian 5th Place Filip SMETKO (CRO) - 2022 U23 World 8th Place Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) - 2x Pan-American Champion, 2019 World 9th Place, 2019 Junior World Champion Artur OMAROV (CZE) - 2023 European Bronze Medalist Mathias BAK (DEN) Mohamed GABR (EGY) - 2023 African Champion Richard KARELSON (EST) - 2022 U20 World Bronze Medalist Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) - 2022 European Silver Medalist, 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) - 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2016 European Silver Medalist Peter OEHLER (GER) - 2021 World 5th Place Laokratis KESIDIS (GRE) Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) - 2x Pan-American Champion Tamas LEVAI (HUN) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2x U23 World Medalist (1,3), 2022 European Bronze Medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) - 2021 World Champion, 2020(1) Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2x World Medalist (1,3), 2020 Asian Champion Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) - 2x World 5th Place Yuta NARA (JPN) - 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) - 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist, 2019 Asian U23 Champion Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) - 2021 Asian Bronze Medalist Seungjun KIM (KOR) - 2x Asian Silver Medalist Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) - 2023 European U23 5th Place Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) - 2022 European U23 Bronze Medalist, 2021 U20 World Silver Medalist Felix BALDAUF (NOR) - 2022 European 5th Place Gerard KURNICZAK (POL) - 2021 World 5th Place Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) - 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2018 European Silver Medalist Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE) Metehan BASAR (TUR) - 2x World Champion, 2017 European Silver Medalist Serhii OMELIN (UKR) Shailesh SHELKE (UWW) Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) - 2x World Medalist (2,3), 3x Asian Champion 97 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL) #2 Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) #3 Mohammadhadi Abdollah SARAVI (IRI) #4 KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) #5 Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) #6 Tamas LEVAI (HUN) #7 Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) #8 Felix BALDAUF (NOR) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (10) Artur Sargsian (AIN - RUS), Artur Aleksanyan (ARM), Arif Niftullayev (AZE), Kiril Milov (BUL), Roberti Kobliashvili (GEO), Tamas Levai (HUN), Mohammadhadi Saravi (IRI), Mihail Kajaia (SRB), Metehan Basar (TUR), Rustam Assakalov (UZB) The American Entry: Joe Rau Almost a decade after making his first world team (2014), Joe Rau is back for his third trip. That first time came at 80 kg and Rau’s 2019 appearance came at 87 kg. Shortly after a return at the US Open, Rau represented the United States at the Pan-American Championships and came away with his third title, all coming at different weights. A month after the Pan-Am’s was Final X and another set of matches against his Open finals opponent Christian DuLaney. After a close 2-1 victory in match one, Rau came out firing in match two and ended things in only :53 seconds. Rau tested the waters internationally at 97 kg in Hungary and went 1-1. He picked up a win over an Iranian opponent before getting blanked by European fifth-place finisher Felix Baldauf. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Artur Aleksanyan (ARM) Silver: Kiril Milov (BUL) Bronze: Mohammadhadi Saravi (IRI) Bronze: Arif Niftullayev (AZE) 130kg Ilya YUDCHYTS (AIN - BLR) - 2019 U23 World 12th Place Sergei SEMENOV (AIN - RUS) - 2018 World Champion, 2x Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2019 European Bronze Medalist David OVASAPYAN (ARM) - 2021 U23 World Silver Medalist, 2021 European U23 Silver Medalist Daniel GASTL (AUT) - 2022 European Bronze Medalist Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) - 2022 European 5th Place, 2021 World 8th Place Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) - 2x Pan-American Silver Medalist, 2x Olympian Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) - 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place, 2021 World 5th Place Lingzhe MENG (CHN) - 2023 Asian Silver Medalist, 2018 World 7th Place Oscar PINO (CUB) - 3x World Medalist (2,3 x2), 5x Pan-American Champion Marcel ALBINI (CZE) - 2022 U23 World 9th Place, 2023 European U23 5th Place Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) - 6x African Champion, 2018 U23 World 3rd Place, 2020(1) Olympic 9th Place Heiki NABI (EST) - 2013 World Champion, 2021 Olympic Silver Medalist, 4x World Medalist, Matti KUOSMANEN (FIN) - 2x European Bronze Medalist, 2017 U23 World Silver Medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) - 2020(1) Olympic Silver Medalist, 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Silver Medalist Jello KRAHMER (GER) - 2020 European Bronze Medalist Dariusz VITEK (HUN) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2021 World 5th Place, 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place, 2x Asian Champion Sota OKUMURA (JPN) - 2021 Asian 5th Place Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) - 2022 Asian Champion Seungchan LEE (KOR) Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) - 2021 World 5th Place Paul MORALES (MEX) Oskar MARVIK (NOR) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Bronze Medalist Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2020 European Champion Boris PETRUSIC (SRB) Aybegshazada KURRAYEV (TKM) - 2023 Asian U23 Bronze Medalist Riza KAYAALP (TUR) - 3x Olympic Medalist (2, 3 x2), 5x World Champion, 8x World Medalist Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR) - 2015 World Bronze Medalist, 2016 European Silver Medalist Mehar SINGH (UWW) - 2015 World 5th Place Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) - 2023 Asian 5th Place 130 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Riza KAYAALP (TUR) #2 Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) #3 Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) #4 Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) #5 Lingzhe MENG (CHN) #6 Dariusz Attila VITEK (HUN) #7 Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) #8 Oskar MARVIK (NOR) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (9) Sergei Semenov (AIN - RUS), Oscar Pino Hinds (CUB), Heiki Nabi (EST), Iakobi Kajaia (GEO), Amin Mirzazadeh (IRI), Oskar Marvik (NOR), Alin Alexuc Ciurariu (ROU), Riza Kayaalp (TUR), Oleksandr Chernetskyy (UKR) The American Entry: Cohlton Schultz On a team with three first-time World Team members and another second-timer, Arizona State All-American Cohlton Schultz represents one of the veterans of the squad. Schultz has earned world medals at the Cadet and Junior levels, but hasn’t had that Senior level breakthrough…yet. Most assumed Schultz would be pushed domestically after the return of 2018 World silver medalist Adam Coon from the football world; however, Schultz greeted Coon rudely at the Open with a tech fall in just over two minutes. The two would meet again at Final X. The results weren’t quite as lopsided, in Schultz’s favor, but he still won the series without a significant threat. Schultz might represent the best chance for a medal on the US squad. But to do so, he’ll have to navigate through a loaded field. The heavyweight bracket is expected to include three past world champions and nine medalists in total. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Riza Kayaalp (TUR) Silver: Amin Mirzazadeh (IRI) Bronze: Mantas Knystautas (LTU) Bronze: Alin Alexuc Ciurariu (ROU)

In her first Senior World team appearance, Macey Kilty was not phased at all and cruised her way into the world finals at 65 kg. Of the four women whose tournaments started on Tuesday, Kilty is the only one who advanced to Wednesday’s gold medal matches. On paper, Kilty’s toughest test was slated to come in the quarterfinals against Bulgaria’s Mimi Hristova, a fifth-place finisher at each of the last two World Championships and a European Champion earlier this year. While technically it was her stiffest competition, Kilty still prevailed 11-2. That was the only of her four matches that went the full six minutes. To clinch her spot in the gold medal finals, Kilty needed two and a half minutes to tech Tatsiana Paulava (AIN - Belarus). Kilty got on the scoreboard with a takedown from a snapdown and go-behind. From there, Kilty patiently worked a lace and got three turns to bring her lead to 8-0. Shortly after, Kilty converted a double leg at the edge to push the score into match termination criteria at 10-0. Tuesday also marked the final day of competition in men’s freestyle and the United States took the team title for the second straight year. Seven of the ten team members won medals, led by golds from Vito Arujau (61 kg), Zain Retherford (70 kg), and David Taylor (86 kg). Iran was a distant second with four medals including one gold. The men’s freestyle team also earned Olympic qualification at four weights (74/86/97/125 kg). The final member of the men’s freestyle team took the mat Tuesday, albeit very briefly. After injury defaulting out of his semifinal match with 20-year-old sensation, Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain), Abdulrashid Sadualev (AIN - Russia) did not weigh in and forfeited a bronze medal match to Kyle Snyder. That marked the ninth world/Olympic medal for Snyder. He’s made the podium in every Senior World/Olympic he has entered. Medals were also awarded for the first time this tournament in women’s freestyle and the American team grabbed medals in both of the weight classes contested. Yesterday, Jacarra Winchester secured a place in the 55 kg gold medal match opposite fellow world champion Haruna Okuno. Okuno methodically scored on Winchester earlier and fended off frantic attacks from Winchester late in the bout to take a 4-2 victory. Winchester’s silver medal represented the second career medal for the California native. The other American who came away with a medal on Tuesday was Jennifer Page at 59 kg. Page was in her first Senior World event and found her way onto the team by dropping a weight after losing at the US Open. Page deftly fought off a single-leg attack from Azerbaijan’s Alyona Kolesnik to get a set of exposure points on the ensuing flurry. Later in the first period, Kolesnik took a half-hearted shot attack and was met with a vicious pancake from Page. With her opponent in danger, Page seized the moment and got the fall. Three other past world medalists started their tournaments on Tuesday, Sarah Hildebrandt (50 kg), Helen Maroulis (57 kg), and Adeline Gray (76 kg); however, each was defeated at one point during the tournament. Hildebrandt and Maroulis both lost to the same opponents that beat them in the 2022 tournament in the semifinals. Each will drop down to wrestle in a bronze medal match and has the opportunity to qualify their weight for the Paris Olympics. Gray was shut down in the quarterfinals but got pulled back into repechage when Japan’s Yuka Kagami made the finals. She’ll need to win two bouts to earn a bronze medal. Tomorrow, the final four women’s freestyle team members will get their tournaments underway. Also, of note for American fans, Northwestern and Rutgers All-American Sebastian Rivera (Puerto Rico) advanced to the 65 kg men’s freestyle finals in dramatic fashion Monday. Rivera was defeated 11-0 by Iszmail Musakaev (Hungary) in the gold medal match, 11-0. Rivera did secure a spot at the 2024 Olympics with his finish. Final Results 55 kg Women’s Freestyle Gold Medal Match: Haruna Okuno (Japan) over Jacarra Winchester (USA) 4-2 Bronze Medal Match: Mariana Dragutan (Moldova) over Karla Godinez Gonzalez (Canada) 3-2 Bronze Medal Match: Anastasia Blayvas (Germany) over Neha Sharma (UWW - India) 2-2 59 kg Women’s Freestyle Gold Medal Match: Qi Zhang (China) over Yulia Tkach (Ukraine) 4-1 Bronze Medal Match: Jennifer Page (USA) over Alyona Kolesnik (Azerbaijan) Fall 1:40 Bronze Medal Match: Othelie Hoeie (Norway) over Elena Brugger (Germany) 5-1 65 kg Men’s Freestyle Gold Medal Match: Iszmail Musukaev (Hungary) over Sebastian Rivera (Puerto Rico) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match: Shamil Mamedov (AIN - Russia) over Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran) 8-6 Bronze Medal Match: Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia) over Maxim Sacultan (Moldova) 5-1 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran) over Maxim Sacultan (Moldova) 10-0 97 kg Men’s Freestyle Gold Medal Match: Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain) over Magomedkhan Magomedov (Azerbaijan) Fall 2:50 Bronze Medal Match: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia) FFT Bronze Medal Match: Givi Matcharasvhili (Georgia) over Ibrahim Cift (Turkey) 6-2 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Ibrahim Cift (Turkey) over Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia) FFT American Results 50 kg Women’s Freestyle Round of 16: Sarah Hildebrandt (USA) over Miseon Kwon (South Korea) 10-0 Quarterfinals: Sarah Hildebrandt (USA) over Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan) 14-3 Semifinals: Otgonjargal Dolgorjav (Mongolia) over Sarah Hildebrandt (USA) 7-5 55 kg Women’s Freestyle Gold Medal Match: Haruna Okuno (Japan) over Jacarra Winchester 4-2 57 kg Women’s Freestyle Qualification: Helen Maroulis (USA) over Nes Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) 10-0 Round of 16: Helen Maroulis (USA) over Graciela Sanchez Dias (Spain) Fall 1:14 Quarterfinals: Helen Maroulis (USA) over Zhala Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 8-3 Semifinals: Tsugumi Sakurai (Japan) over Helen Maroulis (USA) 6-0 59 kg Women’s Freestyle Bronze Medal Match: Jennifer Page over Alyona Kolesnik (Azerbaijan) Fall 1:40 65 kg Women’s Freestyle Qualification: Macey Kilty (USA) over Valeriia Dondupova-Suvorova (AIN - Russia) 10-0 Round of 16: Macey Kilty (USA) over Albina Drazhi (Albania) Fall 2:28 Quarterfinals: Macey Kilty (USA) over Mimi Hristova (Bulgaria) 11-2 Semifinals: Macey Kilty (USA) over Tatsiana Paulava (AIN - Belarus) 10-0 76 kg Women’s Freestyle Qualification: Adeline Gray (USA) over Jimin Baek (South Korea) 10-0 Round of 16: Adeline Gray (USA) over Epp Mae (Estonia) 11-0 Quarterfinals: Yuka Kagami (Japan) over Adeline Gray (USA) 4-1 97 kg Men’s Freestyle Repechage: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Magomed Ibragimov (Uzbekistan) 10-6 Bronze Medal Match: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia) FFT

Morgan Kopitsky sits down with Grand View head coach Angelo Crinzi to discuss how the Grand View position came about, coaching at his alma mater, building a program from scratch, developing leaders, and the recruiting process. Interview with Coach Crinzi.mp4

What a rollercoaster of a day for American wrestling fans! There were some great moments and some shocking ones, as well. The last American wrestler to take the mat on Monday was Kyle Dake, who was searching for his fifth world title against Russian, Zaurbek Sidakov, who came into the match with three World/Olympic gold medals. Though they were both in the 2020 74 kg Olympic weight class, the two had never previously met. The first period was largely uneventful as Dake was put on the shot clock; however, he managed to push Sidakov out of bounds to take a 1-0 lead. That would be the score after the first period. The second period is where things started to go sideways. Dake was put on the shot clock for a second time and Sidakov immediately attacked. He would finish the takedown near the edge with :01 on the shot clock. Once that final second ticked off, Sidakov led 3-1. Shortly after that exchange, Dake got in on a single leg and finished quickly to retake the lead 3-3. With under a minute remaining in the contest, Sidakov got in on a deep shot and was close to finishing. He and Dake took turns exposing each other's backs in a wild sequence. After a review, the score was deemed to be 8-7 in favor of Sidakov. During the final seconds of the contest, Dake tried to expose Sidakov, who was in on a leg again. While he was close, Sidakov never gave up his back. After a review, Sidakov was given two points to make the final score 10-7 in favor of the Russian. Both wrestlers have earned slots at the 2024 Olympics, so a Sidakov/Dake rematch suddenly becomes one of the most anticipated bouts on the horizon in Paris. The other American wrestling in a medal match on Monday was Zahid Valencia at 92 kg. As he’s been known to do, Valencia shot quickly off the opening whistle. Shortly afterwards, his opponent Arash Yoshida, locked up a front headlock and Valencia drug out of it for a takedown. Yoshida quickly escaped and the Japanese corner buzzed to challenge the sequence. A quick replay confirmed the call and gave Valencia a 3-0 lead for the challenge loss. With a 3-0 lead, Valencia continued to attack and scored with one of his best weapons a low double leg. Valencia held onto both legs and was able to quickly transition into a turn with what looked to be a low gut wrench. He would move down to the ankles and lock up a leg lace in the same sequence. Two turns later the match was over, 11-0. Valencia would win a bronze medal in a weight class he originally did not plan to compete in. After a loss to Aaron Brooks in the US Open finals, Valencia moved up to 92 kg from 86 and won the World Team Trials and Final X. One of the best moments of the day came from a competitor not wrestling for the United States, but one that American fans are extremely familiar with. Northwestern and Rutgers All-American, Sebastian Rivera wrestling for Puerto Rico, pulled off one of the best comebacks of the tournament to make the world finals at 65 kg. Rivera was trailing Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia) 6-0 with under two minutes remaining in the bout. He was never flustered and got on the board with four points after a high finish from a leg attack. Rivera got within a point with only :15 seconds remaining after getting a takedown after changing directions multiple times in a front headlock situation. For the bulk of those :15 seconds, Rivera furiously worked to set up a leg lace. As the final two seconds ticked off the clock, Rivera finally was able to turn Tevanyan for two points and an 11-10 win. Rivera’s win also locked up a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games for Puerto Rico. He’ll face Iszmail Musukaev (Hungary) for a world title tomorrow. Down at 57 kg, another former collegiate star had a huge day. Michigan All-American Stevan Micic became the first Serbian wrestler to win a gold medal in freestyle. Micic had quite the road to the gold medal with wins over three past world champions, including Japan’s Rei Higuchi in the finals. Micic struck first with an early takedown, but was matched by Higuchi late in the first period. The two exchanged takedowns in the second period before Micic went ahead for good. Higuchi was ever-so-close to a takedown at the edge of the mat with only four seconds in the bout. No takedown was ruled; however, the Japanese corner did challenge. The initial call was upheld and Micic added a point, which made the final score 7-4. Micic’s win gives the University of Michigan three world medalists at this tournament. Myles Amine (San Marino) and Mason Parris both earned bronze medals. Perhaps the most shocking match of the day came in the 97 kg quarterfinals as 20-year-old Akhmed Tazhudinov (Albania) handled the legendary Kyle Snyder, 11-0. Tazhudinov took a surprising 4-0 lead after chest-wrapping Snyder and taking him feet-to-back in the opening period. Later in the period, Snyder continued to attack but couldn’t finish against Tazhudinov and the Albanian continued to add to his score. Another four-pointer, late in the opening period, was challenged by Snyder and his corner, which wasn’t overturned making the final score 11-0. After beating Snyder, Tazhudinov also handily defeated another Olympic champion, Abdulrashid Sadulaev (AIN - Russia), before Sadulaev injury defaulted out. Most expected a Snyder/Sadulaev rematch in the semis, but now there’s a chance it could happen tomorrow for a bronze medal, provided Snyder advances and Sadulaev can wrestle. Monday also marked the first day of competition for two weight classes in women’s freestyle. Both Americans, Jacarra Winchester (55 kg) and Jennifer Page (59 kg), advanced to the semifinals. Winchester would lock up her second world medal and a second berth in the world finals with her 11-0 tech fall victory over Anastasia Blayvas (Germany). Page was impressive in the quarterfinals downing 2021 World bronze medalist Sae Nanjo (Japan) in the quarterfinals, before getting shut down by Zhang Qi (China), 5-1 in the semis. Winchester will have to contend with 2x world champion Haruna Okuno in the world finals. Page will await the winner of a repechage contest that takes place tomorrow morning. The other American in action today was Nick Lee at 65 kg. Lee posted three impressive victories before running into 2022 world champion Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran). Though Amouzadkhalili controlled most of the bout, Lee did toss the Iranian to his back late in the contest and was close to securing a fall. Lee would be eliminated when Amouzadkhalili lost on a buzzer-beater in the semifinals. In order to guarantee a 65 kg representative at the 2024 Olympics, an American will need to place in the top-two at the 2024 Pan-American Championships or be forced to finish top-three at a World Qualifier. Final Results 57 kg Gold Medal Match: Stevan Micic (Serbia) over Rei Higuchi (Japan) 7-4 Bronze Medal Match: Arsen Harutyunyan (Armenia) over Meirambek Kartbay (Kazakhstan) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match: Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania) over Zavur Uguev (AIN - Russia) 4-4 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Zavur Uguev (AIN - Russia) over Meirambek Kartbay (Kazakhstan) 4-0 74 kg Gold Medal Match: Zaurbek Sidakov (AIN - Russia) over Kyle Dake (USA) 10-7 Bronze Medal Match: Daichi Takatani (Japan) over Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece) Fall 3:38 Bronze Medal Match: Khetig Tsabolov (Serbia) over Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) 6-4 Olympic Quota Wrestle-Off: Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece) over Turan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) 9-8 79 kg Gold Medal Match: Akhmed Usmanov (AIN - Russia) over Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (Georgia) 4-1 Bronze Medal Match: Mohammad Nokhodilarimi (Iran) over Orkhan Abasov (Azerbaijan) 10-0 Bronze Medal Match: Vasyl Mykhailov (Ukraine) over Bolat Sakayev (Kazakhstan) 3-1 92 kg Gold Medal Match: Rizabek Aitmukhan (Kazakhstan) over Osman Nurmagomedov (Azerbaijan) 5-2 Bronze Medal Match: Feyzullah Akturk (Turkey) over Miriani Maisuradze (Georgia) 5-3 Bronze Medal Match: Zahid Valencia (USA) over Arash Yoshida (Japan) 11-0 American Results Men’s Freestyle 65 kg Round of 64: Nick Lee (USA) over Krzysztof Bienkowski (Poland) 6-0 65 kg Round of 32: Nick Lee (USA) over Austin Gomez (Mexico) 3:56 65 kg Round of 16: Nick Lee (USA) over Umidjon Jalolov (Uzbekistan) 4-3 65 kg Quarterfinals: Rahman Amouzadkhalili (Iran) over Nick Lee (USA) 7-4 92 kg repechage: Zahid Valencia (USA) over Denys Sahaliuk (Ukraine) 6-0 92 kg Bronze Medal Match: Zahid Valencia (USA) over Arash Yoshida (Japan) 11-0 97 kg Round of 32: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Nishan Singh Randhawa (Canada) 11-0 97 kg Round of 16: Kyle Snyder (USA) over Radu Lefter (Moldova) 12-1 97 kg Quarterfinals: Akhmed Tazhudinov (Albania) over Kyle Snyder (USA) 11-0 Women’s Freestyle 55 kg Round of 16: Jacarra Winchester (USA) over Neha Sharma (UWW - India) 7-2 55 kg Quarterfinals: Jacarra Winchester (USA) over Mariia Vynnky (Ukraine) 11-1 55 kg Semifinals: Jacarra Winchester (USA) over Anastasia Blayvas (Germany) 11-0 59 kg Round of 16: Jennifer Page (USA) over Anjli (UWW - India) 11-0 59 kg Quarterfinals: Jennifer Page (USA) over Sae Nanjo (Japan) 6-4 59 kg Semifinals: Zhang Qi (China) over Jennifer Page (USA) 5-1

Chris Ayres was appointed Stanford’s new head wrestling coach on Sept. 11, taking over for Rob Koll. “I always looked at Stanford as an amazing program,” Ayres said. Ayres heard Koll was leaving before the move to North Carolina was official. Therefore, Ayres began putting his name into the hat by reaching out to former assistant coach Ray Blake and Stanford’s administrators. Ayres described applying for the Stanford job as similar to Princeton 17 years ago. “Stanford has a great group of alumni and they really want this thing to be good,” Ayres said. “One of the administrators reached out to me and said it was open. I put in an application and within about a week I had the job.” The transition between Princeton and Stanford has been fairly easy since both schools are similar academically and in athletics. “It's actually pretty insane how you get in, how hard it is to get in, and the type of kids we have to recruit,” Ayres said. “It's funny, I recruited at least half of these kids to Princeton and about a quarter of those kids might've been Princeton or Stanford in the final mix. I've been telling them all to look at all the hoops I jumped through just to coach you.” In addition, Ayres understands how to balance the student-athlete's wrestling experience and academic experience. On the other hand, Ayres has to adapt to the ever-changing West Coast wrestling atmosphere. “The West Coast has been underutilized,” Ayres said. “You got a lot of kids from the West Coast going East or to the Midwest. I have a really strong desire to help California wrestling in general. I hope we are a centerpiece for the state and the West Coast.” Although Ayres is joining a West Coast school, he is excited to remain along the East Coast when the Cardinal head to the ACC next season. “I was just trying to learn as much as possible at Princeton about the realignment stuff, I just, it wasn't affecting me.” “I was on my interview when they figured out they're in the ACC,” Ayres said. “I was pumped about that. We're gonna get a lot of bang for our buck at the ACC. It's taken a huge jump. That helped make the decision.” Ayres believes the move to the ACC can help bring in more talent nationwide too. In addition, he will be able to face a familiar foe at Stanford and in the Ivy League. “Rob's been phenomenal in the transition,” Ayres said “There are things that he knows that the assistants just don't know. But it will be interesting because his guys have a little opportunity to make him hurt a little bit.” Even though his mindset is to claim gold at Stanford, he is easing into his role as the head coach. Currently, he moved near the campus and is learning the culture, names of his wrestlers and how the program runs. Even though he has been to a handful of practices, he has laid back and let both sides transition smoothly. However, Ayres is excited about his new journey. “I went out there with no Stanford gear,” Ayres said. They hooked me up with a bunch of gear now. I'm just looking forward to being in a new environment, working with some new kids and having a new situation.”

Day two for the US Men’s freestyle team at the 2023 World Championships had a bit of a rocky start but ended with a bang. Of the four weights that began competition on Sunday, only Kyle Dake at 74 kg made the World finals. Of the remaining three wrestlers, only Zahid Valencia is still alive in repechage. He’ll have to win two bouts tomorrow morning to secure a bronze medal at 92 kg. Zane Richards (57 kg) and Chance Marsteller (79 kg) were eliminated. Richards lost his only bout of the day, while Marsteller picked up a win before he was beaten. Sunday marked the first set of medals that were awarded and the Americans went four-for-four in those medal-round matches, including three with gold medals on the line. Vito Arujau got the medal madness started as he took on Abasgadzhii Magomedov (AIN - Russia), a 2021 world champion. Arujau got on the board first as he got in on a single leg and pushed Magomedov out of bounds for a point. Later in the first period, Magomedov got in on a low-leg attack and was chest-wrapped by Arujau. The two engaged in an extended scramble, one that saw each wrestler get exposed. The sequence was challenged by the Russian corner and Arujau was given three sets of exposure points, while Magomedov was given two sets. Leading 7-4 in the second period, the two were in another flurry on the edge of the mat. It was initially ruled that Magomedov got two points for exposure, however, Frank Perrelli hit the challenge buzzer on Arujau’s behalf. Although, it looked like the correct call to challenge, after a review, the initial call was upheld. That lost challenge knotted the bout at seven points; however, Magomedov held criteria. The Cornell national champion wasn’t worried and earned a takedown off of a snap down to lead 9-7. Arujau would add to his lead with a step out. During the waning seconds of the match, Arujau stepped out and was called for a caution and one, in addition to the step out. That only impacted the final score as Arujau fended off any further attacks from Magomedov to win 10-9. For the second consecutive year, Cornell has a wrestler with eligibility remaining who has captured a world medal. Yianni Diakomihalis was a world silver medalist in 2022. After a pair of bronze medal matches at 70 kg, Zain Retherford took the mat in search of his first world title. Retherford was a silver medal recipient in 2022. While Retherford broke the ice on the scoring front, his opponent, Amirmohammad Yazdani (Iran) locked up the first takedown to lead, 2-1. From that point, it was all Retherford, as he countered with a takedown of his own to go into the break, 3-2. Retherford added two more in the final stanza, along with a step out and got his hand raised in an 8-5 victory. Fellow Penn State great David Taylor was up next against another Yazdani, Hassan, a frequent opponent. The key sequence in the bout came late in the second period as Taylor got in on a double leg and as Yazdani was falling he locked up a chest wrap and flipped Taylor. The call on the mat was four points for Yazdani and a point for Taylor for a reversal. After Casey Cunningham and Taylor challenged, the call was overturned and Taylor was awarded four points and a point for the reversal, while Yazdani got two for exposure. Taylor extended his lead to 7-3 with another low double leg. There was no controversy this time as Taylor slowly built up for the finish. Late in the second period, Taylor continued to attack and got in on a swing single. Yazdani looked for the chest wrap again, but was not in position to finish and found himself on his back. Taylor took advantage and not only got the takedown, but also a fall in the waning seconds of the match. Taylor’s win puts him into rarified air with USA Wrestling. Taylor is now a four-time World/Olympic champion. The afternoon was capped off for the American team with a bronze medal-winning performance from heavyweight Mason Parris. Though he was a late replacement, Parris nearly knocked off three-time world champion Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) in the semifinals. In his bronze medal match, Parris wasted no time blitzing Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) and rolling to a 12-2 tech. The 2023 Hodge Trophy winner blew the match open nearly midway through the first period when he tripped Kurbanov straight to his back for four points at the edge. Taylor and Parris, along with Kyle Dake who made the 74 kg finals, all have qualified the United States at the respective weights for the 2024 Olympics. Parris’ Michigan teammates Myles Amine (San Marino) and Stevan Micic (Serbia) both locked up medals and berths for their nation’s at the Olympics. Amine won a bronze medal match at 86 kg, while Micic upset 3x World/Olympic champion Zavur Uguev (AIN - Russia) in the semifinals. One of the highlights of tomorrow’s slate includes Dake against three-time World/Olympic champion Zaurbek Sidakov (AIN - Russia). The final two men’s freestyle team members (Nick Lee - 65 kg and Kyle Snyder - 97 kg) will also start their tournaments. Also, women’s freestyle will get underway with 55 kg (Jacarra Winchester) and 59 kg (Jennifer Page) hitting the mat. Final Results 61 kg Gold Medal Match - Vito Arujau (USA) over Abasgadzhi Magomedov (AIN - Russia) 10-9 Bronze Medal Match - Taiyrbek Zhumashbek Uulu (Kyrgyzstan) over Kodai Ogawa (Japan) 2-1 Bronze Medal Match - Shota Phartenadze (Georgia) over Valentyn Bliasetskyi (Ukraine) 5-5 70 kg Gold Medal Match - Zain Retherford (USA) over Amirmohammad Yazdani (Iran) 8-5 Bronze Medal Match - Ramazan Ramazanov (Bulgaria) over Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan) 8-6 Bronze Medal Match - Arman Andreasyan (Armenia) over Abhimanyou (UWW - India) 12-1 86 kg Gold Medal Match - David Taylor (USA) over Hassan Yazdani (Iran) 5:57 Bronze Medal Match - Myles Amine (San Marino) over Javrail Shapiev (Uzbekistan) 8-5 Bronze Medal Match - Azamat Dauletbekov (Kazakhstan) over Magomed Sharipov (Bahrain) 5-3 Olympic Quota Qualifying - Javrail Shapiev (Uzbekistan) over Magomed Sharipov (Bahrain) 3-1 125 kg Gold Medal Match - Amir Zare (Iran) over Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) 11-0 Bronze Medal Match - Taha Akgul (Turkey) over Daniel Ligeti (Hungary) 5-0 Bronze Medal Match - Mason Parris (USA) over Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) 12-2 Olympic Quota Qualifying - Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) over Daniel Ligeti (Hungary) 8-3 American Results 57 kg Qualification: Aliabas Rzazade (Azerbaijan) over Zane Richards (USA) 3-2 61 kg Gold Medal Match: Vito Arujau (USA) over Abasgadzhi Magomedov (AIN - Russia) 10-9 70 kg Gold Medal Match: Zain Retherford (USA) over Amirmohammad Yazdani (Iran) 8-5 74 kg Qualification: Kyle Dake (USA) over Magomet Evloev (Tajikistan) 12-2 74 kg Round of 16: Kyle Dake (USA) over Nurkozha Kaipanov (Kazakhstan) 9-4 74 kg Quarterfinals: Kyle Dake (USA) over Daichi Takatani (Japan) 6-4 74 kg Semifinals: Kyle Dake (USA) over Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece) 4-1 79 kg Round of 16: Chance Marsteller (USA) over Chems Fetairia (Algeria) 7-2 79 kg Quarterfinals: Orkhan Abasov (Azerbaijan) over Chance Marsteller (USA) 9-3 92 kg Round of 16: Zahid Valencia (USA) over Amirali Azarpira (Iran) 12-9 92 kg Quarterfinals: Osman Nurmagomedov (Azerbaijan) over Zahid Valencia 5-1 125 kg Bronze Medal Match: Mason Parris (USA) over Abdulla Kurbanov (AIN - Russia) 12-2

Below are the women's freestyle brackets for the 2023 Senior World Championships 50 kg 53 kg 55 kg 57 kg 59 kg 62 kg 65 kg 68 kg 72 kg 76 kg

The World Championships is difficult and prestigious enough as it is. The bragging rights and hardware awarded for winning or even making the podium are what wrestlers from around the world have trained for all of their lives. But, since we’re a year away from the 2024 Olympic Games, the World Championships carry an added significance. Not only do world medalists get tangible rewards for their hard work, but they also have earned their respective countries a slot at the 2024 Olympics. This year’s tournament is actually different from pre-Olympic year’s past. Instead of the top-five finishers automatically qualifying their country for the Olympics, the losers of the bronze medal matches will wrestle-off for that bid. Only five wrestlers per weight will earn quotes in Belgrade. Remember, the individual wrestlers themselves haven’t earned slots at the Olympics, they have earned them on behalf of their country. In many instances, those wrestlers will likely end up in Paris. Below are the countries that have earned Olympic quotas thus far. This list will be updated at the conclusion of each day for the remainder of this tournament. Men’s Freestyle 57 kg Albania, Armenia, Japan, Russia*, Serbia 65 kg Armenia, Hungary, Iran, Puerto Rico, Russia* 74 kg Greece, Japan, Russia*, Serbia, United States 86 kg Iran, Kazakhstan, San Marino, United States, Uzbekistan 97 kg Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Georgia, Turkey, United States 125 kg Georgia, Iran, Russia*, Turkey, United States Women's Freestyle 50 kg China, Japan, Mongolia, Turkey, United States 53 kg Belarus*, Ecuador, India, Japan, Sweden 57 kg Japan, Moldova, Nigeria, Poland, United States 62 kg Germany, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Ukraine 68 kg France, Japan, Moldova, Mongolia, Turkey 76 kg Colombia, Cuba, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, United States Greco-Roman 60 kg China, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan 67 kg Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, Iran, Serbia 77 kg Armenia, Azerbaijan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan 87 kg Bulgaria, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Ukraine 97 kg Armenia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Iran, Lithuania 130 kg China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Turkey *At this time it's unclear how UWW and the Olympic Committee will handle Belarusian/Russian participation at the 2024 Olympics. Until further notice, we will have this spot awarded to Belarus/Russia.

Day one is in the books at the 2023 World Championships. The United States men’s freestyle team flexed their muscles by winning their first 14 matches of the tournament (14-1 overall) and placing three of their four wrestlers into the world finals. The first American to make the finals first-time world team member Vito Arujau. Arujau needed just over two minutes to tech Asian champion Taiyrbek Zhumashbek of Kyrgyzstan. It was one of three techs in four matches for the Cornell star. Arujau appeared to have blown the match open with a feet-to-back exposure sequence against Zhumbashbek. The Kyrgyzstan staff challenged the sequence and it was overturned ruling that Arujau just should receive a set of exposure points and a 4-2 lead. That didn’t phase Arujau, who secured another takedown shortly thereafter and ended the bout with three leg laces. The win guarantees at least a silver medal for Arujau. Since 61 kg is not an Olympic weight, Arujau will get a bye to the semifinals of his Olympic Trials weight class; which we assume is 57 kg. Arujau’s closest match of the day was an 8-2 victory over Kodai Ogawa (Japan) in the quarters. A match prior, Ogawa knocked off the returning silver medalist Reza Atri (Iran). Arujau’s win eliminated Atri, which should help in the team race. Last year, Zain Retherford got over the hump and made the world finals, claiming a world medal in his third tournament. Now, Retherford is back in the finals and seeking to improve the color of his medal. Retherford has put together a rather workman-like tournament winning all three of his matches without an early match termination. All of the action in Retherford’s semifinal bout with two-time world fifth-place finisher Arman Andreasyan (Armenia) came within the first minute and a half of the bout. Retherford was able to get a takedown using a sweep single. Immediately, he transitioned into an arm bar, but was having difficulty scoring. Andresyan stood up, but Retherford never relinquished the bar and turned Andresyan to his back from his feet. The Armenia corner challenged the rule that Retherford deserved four points for the sequence; however, it was upheld. Those seven points were the only ones Retherford needed to tally during the bout. Like Arujau, Retherford’s medal at a non-Olympic weight will place him into the Olympic Trials semifinals, presumably at 65 kg. Fellow Penn State alum, David Taylor, is back in the world finals for the fourth time. Like his last two appearances (and the Olympic finals), Taylor will face rival Hassan Yazdani (Iran). Taylor left no doubt in any of his four matches with two falls and two techs. In his first bout, Taylor only needed :14 seconds to cradle and pin Morocco’s Sofiane Belmir. Since Taylor has clinched a medal at an Olympic weight, he’s earned the right to sit in the best-of-three finals at the Olympic Trials. Late replacement at 125 kgs, Mason Parris, nearly earned a spot in the world finals as he pushed three-time world champion Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) to the brink in the semifinals. Parris held a 6-4 lead with under a minute remaining in the contest. During the previous flurry, Parris was able to use a chest-wrap to nullify a Petriashvili scoring attempt and earn two points himself. He attempted that again, but was not successful and gave Petriashvili two points to go ahead on criteria. Needing a score to retake the lead, Parris was pushing the pace; however, he was caught off balance and muscled over to his back by the legendary Georgian. To get to the finals, Parris downed returning world medalists in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. In the quarters against Zhiwei Deng (China), Parris seemed to have the match under control with under :30 left in the bout. Deng was able to expose Parris from his feet with a head pinch, taking a 4-3 lead. Almost immediately, Parris came back and finished a single leg for four points to retake the lead, for good. The Chinese corner challenged the sequence and, after a lengthy challenge, the call stood and Parris was awarded an additional point to win 8-4. Parris will drop down to a bronze medal match tomorrow. Should he win that match, he’ll lock up a spot in the Olympic Trials finals and earn an Olympic quota for the United States at 125 kg. If he loses, he’d drop into an additional match for Olympic quota purposes. Saturday’s American Results 61 kg Qualification: Vito Arujau over Ossimzhan Dastanbek (Kazakhstan) 10-0 Round of 16: Vito Arujau over Stilyan Iliev (Bulgaria) 10-0 Quarterfinals: Vito Arujau over Kodai Ogawa (Japan) 8-2 Semifinals: Vito Arujau over Taiyrbek Zhumashbek (Kyrgyzstan) 12-2 Finals: Abasgadzhi Magomedov (AIN - Russia) 70 kg Round of 16: Zain Retherford over Mustafo Akhmedov (Tajikistan) 4-0 Quarterfinals: Zain Retherford over Abhimanyou (UWW - India) 9-2 Semifinals: Zain Retherford over Arman Andreasyan (Armenia) 7-0 Finals: Amirmohammad Yazdani (Iran) 86 kg Qualification: David Taylor over Sofiane Belmir (Morocco) Fall: 14 Round of 16: David Taylor over Benjamin Greil (Austria) 10-0 Quarterfinals: David Taylor over Magomed Sharipov (Bahrain) 12-2 Semifinals: David Taylor over Azamat Dauletbekov (Kazakhstan) 4:36 Finals: Hassan Yazdani (Iran) 125 kg Qualification: Mason Parris over Yusup Batirmurzaev (Kazakhstan) 11-0 Round of 16: Mason Parris over Abraham Conyedo Ruano (Italy) 3-0 Quarterfinals: Mason Parris over Zhiwei Deng (China) 8-4 Semifinals: Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) over Mason Parris 8-6 Bronze Medal Match: Determined via repechage

Ponaganset

St. John Bosco

Today, the University of Northern Colorado and star 141 lber, Andrew Alirez, released a video through social media stating he’ll take an Olympic redshirt for the 2023-24 season. Alirez went 28-0 last year to capture Northern Colorado’s first NCAA title since 1962. Alirez’s NCAA quarterfinal win over Lachlan McNeil made him the first NCAA All-American during Troy Nickerson’s tenure at the school. He’d wrap up the national title with a 6-4 victory over top-seeded Big Ten champion Real Woods of Iowa. In addition to his NCAA exploits, Alirez also won the Southern Scuffle and his second Big 12 championship during the 2022-23 campaign. Alirez now has his sights set on making the 2024 Olympic team. In July, Alirez reminded the country (and world) of his freestyle chops by winning the Ziolkowski Memorial in Poland. On his way to the title, Alirez dismantled three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Haji Aliyev of Azerbaijan. In 2018, Alirez used the spring freestyle season as his breakout. At the Junior World Team Trials, Alirez ran through the mini-tournament unscathed, with tech fall victories over collegiate opponents like Nick Lee and Yahya Thomas. He ultimately fell to Dom Demas in the finals, but snagged a match from Demas in the best-of-three wrestle-offs. That tournament took place after Alirez’s junior year of high school, which helped lead to a #3 overall ranking in the Class of 2019. As we get closer to the collegiate season, we’ll have a better understanding of who will try to replace Alirez at 141 lbs in the Bears lineup. Looking at UNC’s roster they have sophomores Rudy Lopez and Armando Garcia, along with redshirt freshman Otto Cate-Cribari.

Below are the official brackets for men's freestyle at the 2023 World Championships 57 kg 61 kg 65 kg 70 kg 74 kg 79 kg 86 kg 92 kg 97 kg 125 kg

Today USA Wrestling announced the procedures for participation in the 2024 Olympic Team Trials in all three styles. Men's Freestyle a) Past USA World Championships or Olympic Games Participant or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion Any past Senior Freestyle World Championships participant and/or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023 is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. b) 2023 U17 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2023 U17 Freestyle World Championships gold medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling c) 2023 U20 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2023 U20 Freestyle World Championships gold medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling d) 2023 Senior World Championships (September, 2023) i. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Freestyle Medalist, at an Olympic weight, will earn an automatic berth into the final wrestle-off (i.e., Day Two) at the same weight they won a medal in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. ii. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Freestyle Medalist, at a non-Olympic weight, will earn an automatic berth into the semifinals (i.e., Day One) at a weight category immediately adjacent (one weight class up or down) from their 2023 Senior World Championship weight category. e) 2023 U23 World Championships (October, 2023) Any 2023 U23 Freestyle USA World Championships gold medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. f) 2023 Bill Farrell International Open (November, 2023) The highest placed Senior Freestyle USA athlete per weight category, that places in the top 4, who has yet to qualify, will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials - Wrestling. g) 2023 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (December, 2023) The Senior Freestyle top 5 finishers per weight category at the 2023 USA Wrestling Olympic Trials Qualifier will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. h) 2024 Pan American Championships (February, 2024) Any Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist at the 2024 Pan American Championships will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. i) 2024 Pan American Olympic Qualifier (March, 2024) The Senior Freestyle USA athlete who qualifies the Olympic weight category at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. j) NCAA Division I Championships (March, 2024) The 2024 NCAA Division I champion will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling at the weight category they choose. k) Final 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (March, 2024) The Freestyle champion of this event per weight category will qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. Athletes who have already qualified will NOT be allowed to compete in this event Women's Freestyle a) Past USA World Championships or Olympic Games Participant or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion Any past Senior Women’s Freestyle World Championships participant and/or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023 is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. b) 2023 U17 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2023 U17 Women’s Freestyle World Championships gold medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. c) 2023 U20 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2023 U20 Women’s Freestyle World Championships medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. d) 2023 Senior World Championships (September, 2023) i. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Women’s Freestyle Medalist, at an Olympic weight, will earn an automatic berth into the final wrestle-off (i.e., Day Two) at the same weight they won a medal in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. ii. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Women’s Freestyle Medalist, at a nonOlympic weight, will earn an automatic berth into the semifinals (i.e., Day One) at a weight category immediately adjacent (one weight class up or down) from their 2023 Senior World Championship weight category. e) 2023 U23 World Championships (October, 2023) Any 2023 U23 Women’s Freestyle USA World Championships medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. f) 2023 Bill Farrell International Open (November, 2023) The highest placed Senior Women’s Freestyle USA athlete per weight category, that places in the top 4, who has yet to qualify, will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials - Wrestling. g) 2023 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (December, 2023) The Senior Women’s Freestyle top 5 finishers per weight category at the 2023 USA Wrestling Olympic Trials Qualifier will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. h) 2024 Pan American Championships (February, 2024) Any Senior Women’s Freestyle Gold Medalist at the 2024 Pan American Championships will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. i) 2024 Pan American Olympic Qualifier (March, 2024) The Senior Women’s Freestyle USA athlete who qualifies the Olympic weight category at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. j) 2024 NCWWC National Championships (March, 2024) The NCWWC Women’s champion will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling at the weight category they choose. k) 2024 NAIA National Championships (March, 2024) The NAIA Women’s champion will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling at the weight category they choose. l) Final 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (March, 2024) The Women’s Freestyle champion of this event per weight category will qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. Athletes who have already qualified will NOT be allowed to compete in this event. Greco-Roman a) Past USA World Championships or Olympic Games Participant or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion Any past Senior Greco-Roman World Championships participant and/or Final World or Olympic Team Trials Champion from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023 is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. b) 2023 U17 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2023 U17 Greco-Roman World Championships gold medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling c) 2023 U20 World Championships (August, 2023) Any 2021, 2022 or 2023 U20 Greco-Roman World Championships medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling d) 2023 Senior World Championships (September, 2023) i. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Greco-Roman Medalist or a 2023 Senior World Championships Greco-Roman athlete that qualifies the weight for the 2024 Olympic Games, will earn an automatic berth into the final wrestle-off (i.e., Day Two) at the same weight they won a medal or qualified the weight for the Olympic Games in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. ii. Any 2023 Senior World Championship Greco-Roman Medalist, at a non-Olympic weight, will earn an automatic berth into the semifinals (i.e., Day One) at a weight category immediately adjacent (one weight class up or down) from their 2023 Senior World Championship weight category. e) 2023 U23 World Championships (October, 2023) Any 2023 U23 Greco-Roman USA World Championships medalist is automatically qualified to enter the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. f) 2023 Bill Farrell International Open (November, 2023) The highest placed Senior Greco-Roman USA athlete per weight category, that places in the top 4, who has yet to qualify, will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials - Wrestling. g) 2023 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (December, 2023) The Senior Greco-Roman top 5 finishers per weight category at the 2023 USA Wrestling Olympic Trials Qualifier will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. h) 2024 Pan American Championships (February, 2024) Any Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist at the 2024 Pan American Championships will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. i) 2024 U.S. Armed Forces Championships (February 2024) The highest placed Senior Greco-Roman athlete, per weight category, winning a medal, who has yet to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. *Gold and silver medals awarded. j) 2024 Pan American Olympic Qualifier (March, 2024) The Senior Greco-Roman athlete who qualifies the Olympic weight category at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier, will earn an automatic berth into the final wrestle off (i.e., Day Two) at the same weight they qualified in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. k) 2024 NCAA Division I Championships (March, 2024) The 2024 NCAA Division I champion will earn a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling at the weight category they choose. l) Final 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (March, 2024) The Greco-Roman champion of this event per weight category will qualify for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials – Wrestling. Athletes who have already qualified will NOT be allowed to compete in this event.

We’re less than 24 hours away from the 2023 Senior World Championships, so it’s time to wrap up our previews for the event. We’ll go in order of the competition and hit half of the weights one day and the other half the following day. Our men’s and women’s freestyle previews have already been released, so it’s time to finish with Greco-Roman. The 2023 Greco-Roman team is a good mix of grizzled veterans and new promising faces. This year’s team does not feature any past Senior world medalists, but what better time than now with Olympic qualification also on the line. Below are the entries at each of the last five weights, along with some of their notable achievements, pre-seeds, information on the American entry, and 2022 medalists. 55kg Vitalii KABALOEV (AIN - RUS) - 2019 World 7th Place, 2019 European Champion Mohamed DRIDI (ALG) - 2023 African Champion Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) - 2x European Bronze Medalist Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) - 2x World Champion, 4x World Medalist (1x2, 3x2), 2x European Champion Wenjie CHEN (CHN) - 2023 Asian U23 5th Place Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) - 2019 World Champion, 4x World Medalist (1,2,3x2), 2022 European Silver Medalist Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) - 2022 U23 World Champion, 2023 Asian Champion Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) Taiga ONISHI (JPN) - 2022 U20 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 Asian 5th Place Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) Davies ORIWA (KEN) Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) - 2x Asian 5th Place Artiom DELEANU (MDA) - 2023 European 8th Place, 2022 U23 World 9th Place Denis MIHAI (ROU) - 2023 European Bronze Medalist, 2022 U20 World Silver Medalist Umit DURDYYEV (TKM) - 2019 Asian 8th Place Adem Burak UZUN (TUR) - 2023 European Championship, 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR) - 2021 World 12th Place AJAY (UWW) Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2020 Asian Silver Medalist 55 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) #2 Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) #3 Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) #4 Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI) #5 Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) #6 Denis Florin MIHAI (ROU) #7 Artiom DELEANU (MDA) #8 Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (3) Eldaniz Azizli (AZE), Nugzari Tsurtsumia (GEO), Jasurbek Ortikboev (UZB) The American Entry: Brady Koontz We’ll have the opportunity to see Brady Koontz compete for the first time on the World stage at the Senior level. Koontz finally broke through and earned a series win at Final X, after coming up short in two prior appearances. It wasn’t easy though. In fact, it looked like more of the same in his first match against Dalton Duffield. Koontz fell 8-0 and had his back against the wall; forced to win two straight bouts. That’s exactly what he did winning 4-1, 7-3 in the final two matches. Koontz earned his spot in Final X after winning his first US Open title, which also came against Duffield. Even though this is his first Senior World tournament, Koontz has plenty of experience on the international scene. He has participated in world tournaments at the Cadet, Junior, and U23 levels; however, he’s still seeking his first international medal. After clinching his spot on the Senior team, Koontz went to compete in Hungary and took sixth place. Bracketing will play a big role in Koontz’s success at this weight. Since it’s a non-Olympic bracket, it is considerably smaller than other weights. Getting to the podium won’t require quite as many wins as others might. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Eldaniz Azizli (Azerbaijan) Silver: Nugzari Tsurtsumia (Georgia) Bronze: Jasurbek Ortikboev (Uzbekistan) Bronze: Yu Shiotani (Japan) 60kg Hleb MAKARANKA (AIN - BLR) - 2021 European 5th Place Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN - RUS) - 2021 U23 World Champion, 2019 Junior World Champion Bajram SINA (ALB) - 2021 European U23 Bronze Medalist Reginaldo da SILVA (ANG) Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) - 2020 European Champion, 2021 World 5th Place Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) - 2022 European U23 Silver Medalist, 2x U20 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Bronze Medalist Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2x European Champion Liguo CAO (CHN) - 2019 World 5th Place, 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist Dicther TORO (COL) - 2x Pan-American Champion Latuf MADI (COM) Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) - 2023 Pan-American Bronze Medalist Jeremy PERALTA (ECU) - 2023 Pan-American Silver Medalist Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) - 2020(1) Olympic 9th Place, 3x African Champion Helary MAEGISALU (EST) - 2018 European Silver Medalist Leo TUDEZCA (FRA) Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European 7th Place Christopher KRAEMER (GER) - 2023 European 12th Place Erik TORBA (HUN) - 2021 World 5th Place, 2020 European Bronze Medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) - 2018 U23 World Bronze Medalist Melkamu FETENE (ISR) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European U23 Silver Medalist Jacopo SANDRON (ITA) - 2018 European Bronze Medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) - 2x World Champion, 2020(1) Olympic Silver Medalist, 3x World Medalist (1 x2, 3), 2x Asian Champion Olzhas SULTAN (KAZ) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) - 2022 World Champion, 3x World Medalist (1, 2 x2), 2x Asian Champion Seunghak KIM (KOR) - 2017 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 World Bronze Medalist Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) - 2021 European Bronze Medalist Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU) - 2022 World 13th Place Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR) - 2023 African 3rd Place Victor CIOBANU (MDA) - 2021 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 2019 European Champion Samuel GURRIA (MEX) - 2x Pan-American Silver Medalist Joao BENAVIDES (PER) - 2022 Pan-American Bronze Medalist Michal TRACZ (POL) - 2022 World 15th Place Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) - 2x World 10th Place Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE) - 2023 African Silver Medalist Sabolc LOSONC (SRB) Virgil BICA (SWE) Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) - 2022 Asian U23 Silver Medalist, 2021 Asian 5th Place Kerem KAMAL (TUR) - 2022 U23 World Champion, 3x Junior World Champion Viktor PETRYK (UKR) - 2021 European Bronze Medalist Manish KUNDU (UWW) Jamal VALIZADEH (UWW) Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) - 2019 Asian Champion, 2018 U23 World 5th Place Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) - 3x Pan-American Bronze Medalist 60 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL) #2 Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) #3 Kerem KAMAL (TUR) #4 Liguo CAO (CHN) #5 Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) #6 Mehdi Seifollah MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) #7 Haithem Mahmoud Ahmed Fahmy MAHMOUD (EGY) #8 Nihat Zahid MAMMADLI (AZE) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (5) Edmond Nazaryan (BUL), Kenichiro Fumita (JPN), Zholaman Sharshenbekov (KGZ), Seunghak Kim (KOR), Victor Ciobanu (MDA) The American Entry: Ildar Hafizov The senior member of the US team is Ildar Hafizov who looks as good as ever at 35 years old. Hafizov just made his fourth World/Olympic team competing for the United States. In addition, he also made three world teams and an Olympic Games for Uzbekistan. Last year, Hafizov won a pair of matches in Belgrade before falling to the eventual world champion, Zholaman Sharshenbekov. He later was eliminated in repechage. Hafizov is still seeking his first world medal. In order to make the 2023 squad, Hafizov had to go through a familiar face in teammate/rival Dalton Roberts. Just like last year, their series went the full three matches and ended up in Hafizov’s favor. That wasn’t the case at the 2023 Open, where Roberts came out on top. That forced Hafizov to head to the World Team Trials in order to make Final X. While this weight doesn’t have as many returning world medalists as other Olympic weights, it does feature three past world champions and two U23 world champs. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Zholaman Sharshenbekov (KGZ) Silver: Edmond Nazaryan (BUL) Bronze: Aidos Sultangali (KAZ) Bronze: Kenichiro Fumita (JPN) 63kg Astemir BIZHOEV (AIN - RUS) Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) - 2022 World 5th Place, 2x U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Bronze Medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2018 European Silver Medalist Abu AMAEV (BUL) - 2023 European Bronze Medalist, 2019 Junior World Champion Zheng LI (CHN) Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO) - 2019 World 8th Place, 2019 European 5th Place Stefan CLEMENT (FRA) Leri ABULADZE (GEO) - 2x World Silver Medalist, 2x European Champion Etienne KINSINGER (GER) - 2018 World 8th Place Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN) - 2022 World 5th Place Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) - 2022 U23 World Champion, 2023 Asian Champion Ryuto IKEDA (JPN) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ) - 2023 Asian Bronze Medalist Dastan KADYROV (KGZ) - 2023 Asian 7th Place Jinwoong JUNG (KOR) - 2019 World 8th Place Alexis RODRIGUEZ (MEX) - 2023 Pan-American 5th Place Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) - 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Perica DIMITRIJEVIC (SRB) - 2023 European 9th Place Akmyrat GELDIYEV (TKM) Enes BASAR (TUR) - 2018 European Bronze Medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) - 2018 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European 10th Place Vikram KURADE (UWW) Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) - 2023 Asian Silver Medalist, 2022 Asian U23 Champion 63 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Leri ABULADZE (GEO) #2 Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) #3 Iman Hossein Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) #4 Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ) #5 Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) #6 Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO) #7 Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) #8 Madiyar MALTEKBAYEV (KAZ) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (2) Murad Mammadov (AZE), Leri Abuladze (GEO) The American Entry: Xavier Johnson The second of three first-time world team members in Greco is Xavier Johnson. Johnson earned a spot in Final X for a second time in his career after a surprising upset of Sammy Jones at the World Team Trials. At Final X, Johnson had little trouble with US Open champion Hayden Tuma, teching him in both contests. After making the world team, Johnson went over the Hungary and took ninth at the Polyak Imre & Varga Janos. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Sebastian Nad (Serbia) Silver: Leri Abuladze (Georgia) Bronze: Erbatu Tuo (China) Bronze: Taleh Mammadov (Azerbaijan) 67kg Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (AIN - BLR) - 2020 European 5th Place, 2019 U23 World Silver Medalist Aslan VISAITOV (AIN - RUS) - 2014 Junior World Bronze Medalist Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) - 3x African Silver Medalist Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) - 2019 World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Bronze Medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Champion Ivo ILIEV (BUL) - 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist, 2022 U23 World 8th Place Nestor ALMANZA (CHI) Husiyuetu HUSIYUETU (CHN) - 2022 World 9th Place Julian HORTA (COL) Luis SANCHEZ (CUB) - 2020(1) Olympic Gold Medalist, 3x Pan-American Champion Andres MONTANO (ECU) - 3x Pan-American Champion Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) - 2021 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2x U23 World Champion, 5x African Champion Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) - 2018 World 5th Place Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) - 2023 European Silver Medalist, 2022 World 5th Place Witalis LAZOVSKI (GER) - 2021 Worth 10th Place Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) - 2021 European U23 Champion, 2018 Junior World Bronze Medalist Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) - 2020(1) Olympic Gold Medalist, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 2019 Asian Champion Shon NADORGIN (ISR) - 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA) - 2022 European U23 5th Place Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 Asian Silver Medalist Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) - 5x World Medalist (2, 3 x4), 2x Asian Champion Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 Asian Bronze Medalist Minseong KWON (KOR) Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2020 European Bronze Medalist Valentin PETIC (MDA) - 2019 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 World 7th Place Edsson OLMOS (MEX) - 2022 Pan-American Silver Medalist Morten THORESEN (NOR) - 2021 World 9th Place Nilton SOTO (PER) Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) - 2017 World Silver Medalist, 2021 European Silver Medalist Mihai MIHUT (ROU) - 2021 World 9th Place, 2018 European Champion Mate NEMES (SRB) - 2022 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,3), 2021 European Champion Andreas VETSCH (SUI) Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) - 2022 European U23 Bronze Medalist Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK) - 2023 Asian U23 Bronze Medalist Mansur NURBERDIYEV (TKM) Souleymen NASR (TUN) - 2x African Silver Medalist Murat FIRAT (TUR) - 2x World 5th Place, 2022 European Champion Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) - 2020(1) Olympic Silver Medalist Vinayak PATIL (UWW) Abror ATABAEV (UZB) - 2023 Asian Champion, 2022 Asian U23 Champion 67 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) #2 Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) #3 Mate NEMES (SRB) #4 Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) #5 Murat FIRAT (TUR) #6 Mohammadreza Abdolhamid GERAEI (IRI) #7 Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) #8 Luis Alberto ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (10) Slavik Galstyan (ARM), Hasrat Jafarov (AZE), Luis Orta Sanchez (CUB), Mohamed Elsayed (EGY), Mohammadreza Geraei(IRI), Almat Kebispayev (KAZ), Amantur Ismailov (KGZ), Mateusz Bernatek(POL), Mate Nemes (SRB), Parviz Nasibov (UKR) The American Entry: Alex Sancho Now one of the veterans of the US team is Alex Sancho who has made his third World/Olympic team. Sancho was shocked in the quarterfinals of the US Open by high school sensation Joel Adams, which forced him to attend the World Team Trials. He would rebound at the Trials with two techs and a forfeit victory in the championship match to book a spot in Final X for a second straight year. At Final X, Sancho was paired with another young star in California native Robert Perez III. Sancho held off the youngster in a couple of tight victories (3-2, 5-1). After Final X, Sancho got a tune-up in Hungary finishing fifth in a deep weight class. Sancho advanced to the semifinals before falling to Joni Khetsuriani of Georgia. Khetsuriani will assume the top seed in Belgrade. Also in 2023, Sancho went 1-1 at the Ranking Series event in Croatia. He’ll be looking to improve upon his previous placements at the World/Olympics, where he was 11th/10th. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Mate Nemes (SRB) Silver: Mohammadreza Geraei(IRI) Bronze: Amantur Ismailov (KGZ) Bronze: Hasrat Jafarov (AZE) 72kg Narek OGANIAN (AIN - RUS) - 2018 U23 5th Place Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) - 2023 African Champion Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 European U23 Bronze Medalist Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2023 European Champion, 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) - 2019 European U23 Bronze Medalist Jian TAN (CHN) - 2023 Asian 5th Place Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2020(1) Olympic 5th Place Michael WIDMAYER (GER) - 2019 World 5th Place, 2021 European 5th Place Robert FRITSCH (HUN) - 2022 World 8th Place, 2022 European Champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) Zaur KABALOEV (ITA) - 2018 European Bronze Medalist, 2012 Junior World Champion Rintaro SOGABE (JPN) Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) Jiyeon LEE (KOR) - 2019 World 5th Place Mihai PETIC (MDA) Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) - 2023 European 5th Place, 2021 World 10th Place Kamil CZARNECKI (POL) - 2023 European Bronze Medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) - 2022 World Champion, 2022 European Bronze Medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Bronze Medalist Artur POLITAIEV (UKR) - 2019 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2x European U23 Bronze Medalist Ankit GULIA (UWW) Jamol JUMABAEV (UZB) - 2023 Asian U23 Bronze Medalist, 2023 Asian 8th Place 72 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Selcuk CAN (TUR) #2 Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) #3 Ali Feizollah ARSALAN (SRB) #4 Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed Hassan GHANEM (FRA) #5 Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) #6 Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) #7 Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) #8 Valentin PETIC (MDA) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (4) Ulvu Ganizade (AZE), Ramaz Zoidze (GEO), Ali Arsalan (SRB), Selcuk Can (TUR) The American Entry: Pat Smith Along with Ildar Hafizov, the only other wrestler on the 2023 Greco team with four World and/or Olympic appearances is Pat Smith. He’s made the world team for a fourth time. Smith is competing at 72 kg at the World Championships for a second time, his previous two iterations have come at other weights. Like many of the US veterans, Smith was stunned at the US Open by a younger counterpart in Justus Scott. In order to make Final X for the third time, Smith had to blank Michael Hooker and Nolan Wachsmuth at the Trials. Making a world team is rarely easy and once again, for Smith, it wasn’t. Just like his previous two Final X appearances, Smith’s series went the full three matches. Smith did it the hard way and dropped his first bout to Scott, before pulling out close wins (5-4, 7-5). In international competition this year, Smith has finished an identical 13th place in Croatia and Hungary. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Ali Arsalan (SRB) Silver: Ulvi Ganizade (AZE) Bronze: Andrii Kulyk (UKR) Bronze: Selcuk Can (TUR)

New Smyrna Beach

We’re less than a week away from the 2023 Senior World Championships, so it’s time to unveil our previews for the event. We’ll go in order of the competition and hit half of the weights one day and the other half the following day. The tournament will start off hot with the men’s freestyle competition and then move into women’s freestyle. In 2022, our women’s team came away with medals in seven of ten weights, including three gold medals. The transition from 2022 to 2023 saw the American squad lose a world champion (Tamyra Mensah-Stock) but gain another (the return of Adeline Gray). While everyone on the women’s side is always chasing Japan, this team has the potential to push the Japanese and defeat anyone else in the world. With that out of the way, here are the entries at each of the last five weights, along with some of their notable achievements, pre-seeds, information on the American entry, and 2022 medalists. 62kg Veranika IVANOVA (AIN - BLR) - 2021 World 9th Place, 2x European Bronze Medalist Angelina LELO (ANG) Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) - 2019 World Bronze Medalist, 2019 European Champion, 2020 Olympic 10th Place Jessica DERRELL (BAR) - 2023 Pan-American Bronze Medalist Lais NUNES (BRA) - 2x Pan-American Champion, 2021 World 5th Place Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) - 2021 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 4x European Champion Ana GODINEZ (CAN) - 2x U23 World Medalist (1,3), 2022 World 5th Place Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2x Asian Champion Angelina RODRIGUES (CPV) Leonela AYOVI (ECU) Lydia PEREZ (ESP) - 2023 City of Sassari Champion Viktoria VESSO (EST) - 2x European U23 Bronze Medalist, 2021 U20 World Bronze Medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) - 2018 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2017 World 5th Place, 2022 European Silver Medalist Elena ESPOSITO (ITA) - 2022 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 U20 World Champ Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) - 2x Asian U23 Champion Eunice MBURU (KEN) - 2023 African Bronze Medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) - 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2x World Champion, 3x World Medalist Subeen JO (KOR) Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) - 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2020 Olympic 5th Place, 3x European Champion Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA) - 2019 World 10th Place Alexis GOMEZ (MEX) Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) - 2017 World Champion Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2020 African Champion, 2022 World 7th Place Grace BULLEN (NOR) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2020 European Champion, 2014 Cadet World Champion Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL) - 2021 European Bronze Medalist, 2017 Junior World Bronze Medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) - 2019 European Silver Medalist, 2020 Olympic 8th Place Alina KASABIEVA (AIN - RUS) - 2021 World 7th Place, 2021 U20 World Champion Sara LINDBORG (SWE) - 2021 World 5th Place, 2020 European Bronze Medalist Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) - 2021 U17 and U20 World Champion, 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) - 2020(1) Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2019 World Silver Medalist, 2x European Champion Manish Bhanwala (UWW - India) - 2x Asian Bronze Medalist, 2016 Cadet World Champion Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB) - 2022 Asian 5th Place Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) - 2023 Pan-American Silver Medalist Thi My Hanh NGUYEN (VIE) - 2020 Asian 5th Place, 2017 World 10th Place 62 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Kayla MIRACLE (USA) #2 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) #3 Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) #4 Ana GODINEZ (CAN) #5 Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) #6 Lais NUNES (BRA) #7 Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) #8 Sara LINDBORG (SWE) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (10) Elis Manolova (AZE), Bilyana Dudova (BUL), Xiaojuan Luo (CHN), Sakura Motoki (JPN), Aisuluu Tynybekova (KGZ), Anastasija Grigorjeva (LAT), Orkhon Purevdorj (MGL), Grace Bullen (NOR), Iryna Koliadenko (UKR), Kayla Miracle (USA) The American Entry: Kayla Miracle In each of the last two World Championships, Kayla Miracle has been the United States representative at 62 kg and finished the tournament with a silver medal. Could this be the year that Miracle takes the next step and earns gold? If she does, she’ll have to go through one of the most impressive and credentialed fields in the entire women’s tournament. Even though the 2022 world champion is not at this weight, there are still three other women in this bracket who have won world gold in the past; along with seven other medalists. While Miracle has the best seed possible, there are six world medalists without one and therefore could be drawn in anywhere. Miracle’s silver medal at the 2022 World Championships allowed her to wait in Final X for a challenger to emerge. That opponent ended up being Adauago Nwachukwo after an impressive win over Jennifer Page at the US Open. Nwachukwo ended up putting up a good fight against Miracle, but she prevailed 6-1 and 10-3 and wasn’t seriously threatened. Aside from her performance at Final X, Miracle didn’t necessarily have her best year internationally with bronze medals at the Pan-American Championships and the Zagreb Ranking Series event; however, a great showing in Belgrade will nullify the rest of the season. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Nonoka Ozaki (Japan) Silver: Kayla Miracle (USA) Bronze: Ilona Prokopevniuk (Ukraine) Bronze: Xiaojuan Luo (China) 65kg Tatsiana PAULAVA (AIN - BLR) - 2021 European U23 Silver Medalist Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE) - 2023 European U23 Silver Medalist, 2021 U20 World Bronze Medalist Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) - 2x European Champion, 2022 World 5th Place Aleah NICKEL (CAN) - 2023 Pan-American Bronze Medalist, 2022 World 12th Place Lili LILI (CHN) - 2023 Asian U23 Silver Medalist Iva GERIC (CRO) - 2023 European 7th Place Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) - 2022 European Silver Medalist, 2022 World 10th Place Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) - 2022 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,3), 2022 Asian Champion Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) - 2018 Asian Bronze Medalist, 2019 World 11th Place Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) - 2023 Asian U23 Champion Amina TANDELOVA (AIN - RUS) - 2019 European Cadet Champion Masa PEROVIC (SRB) - 2023 U20 European Bronze Medalist Kadriye AKSOY (TUR) Oksana KUKHTA HERHEL (UKR) - 2015 World Champion, 2016 European Silver Medalist ANTIM (UWW) - 2023 U20 World Silver Medalist 65 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) #2 Iva GERIC (CRO) #3 Aleah NICKEL (CAN) #4 Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) #5 Kadriye AKSOY (TUR) #6 Masa PEROVIC (SRB) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (2) Nonoka Ozaki(JPN), Oksana Kukhta Herhel (UKR) The American Entry: Macey Kilty This will be the first Senior World appearance for Macey Kilty; however, she is far from inexperienced on the big stage. Kilty has won world medals at each of the previous three age-group levels, including a Cadet world title in 2018. In each of the two previous years, Kilty appeared to be on her way to making a world team; however, in both instances, she suffered or reaggravated a serious injury late in the qualification process. In the 2020(1) Olympic Trials, Kilty took a match from Kayla Miracle before having to default in the third and deciding contest. Kilty earned her place in Final X after emerging from a tough US Open final against frequent opponent Emma Bruntil. At Final X, Kilty pinned returning World bronze medalist Mallory Velte in match one, then held on for a 6-5 victory in the second match. Kilty has not competed internationally in 2023. Last year, she took silver at 62 kg at the Yarygin and the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event. With the size of this bracket, the lack of true title threats, combined with Kilty’s talent she’s a serious contender. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Miwa Morikawa (Japan) Silver: Jia Long (China) Bronze: Mallory Velte (USA) Bronze: Koumba Larroque (France) 68kg Hanna SADCHANKA (AIN - BLR) - 2020 European 5th Place Albina DRAZHI (ALB) - 2023 European 7th Place Grabriela PEDRO (BRA) - 3x Pan-American Bronze Medalist Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) - 2023 European Champion, 2019 World 5th Place Olivia Grace DI BACCO (CAN) - 2x World 5th Place, 2017 Pan-American Champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) - 2x World Medalist (2,3), 2x Asian Champion Nicoll PARRADO (COL) - 2x Pan-American U20 Champion Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) - 2021 World 5th Place, 2019 European Silver Medalist Nerea PAMPIN (ESP) - 2022 U23 World 7th Place Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) - 3x World Medalist (2,3x2), 2021 European Champion Noémi SZABADOS (HUN) - 3x European U23 Bronze Medalist, 2022 U23 World 5th Place Ami ISHII (JPN) - 2022 World Silver Medalist, 2023 Asian Champion Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) - 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 3x World Medalist (2 x2, 3) Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) - 2020(1) Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2021 World Champion, 2022 Asian Silver Medalist Jeumeun KWON (KOR) Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) - 2021 World 9th Place, 2020 European Bronze Medalist Irina RINGACI (MDA) - 2021 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,3), 2x European Champion Alejandra RIVERA (MEX) Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2021 Asian Silver Medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) - 2020(1) Olympic Silver Medalist, 12x African Champion Yanet SOVERO (PER) - 2020 Pan-American Champion Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) - 2022 U23 World Silver Medalist, 3x European U23 Champion Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2023 European Champion, 2018 U23 World Silver Medalist Vusala PARFIANOVICH (AIN - RUS) - 2021 U23 World Silver Medalist, 2021 European U23 Silver Medalist Emilija JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB) Patricia ELNOUR (SUD) - 2023 African 4th Place Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) - 2023 European 5th Place, 2023 European U23 Silver Medalist Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) - 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Khadija JLASSI (TUN) - 2023 African Champion, 2022 U20 World Bronze Medalist Buse TOSUN (TUR) - 2x World Bronze Medalist, 2x European Silver Medalist Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) - 2022 European Champion, 2022 World 7th Place PRIYANKA (UWW) - 2022 U20 World Silver Medalist Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) - 2023 Asian 7th Place Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) 68 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Feng ZHOU (CHN) #2 Ami ISHII (JPN) #3 Irina RINGACI (MDA) #4 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) #5 Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) #6 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) #7 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) #8 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (9) Feng Zhou (CHN), Koumba Larroque (FRA), Ami ISHII (JPN), Yelena Shalygina (KAZ), Meerim Zhumanazarova (KGZ), Irina Ringarci (MDA), Blessing Oborududu (NGR), Alexandra Anghel (ROU), Buse Tosun (TUR) The American Entry: Emma Bruntil The 2023 World Championships signals the turning of the page for the United States. Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock has been the US representative at 68 (or 69kg) every year since 2016. Mensah-Stock decided to pursue opportunities within the WWE this year. In her absence, Emma Bruntil has emerged as the next woman up at 68 kg. Bruntil fell in the US Open finals to Macey Kilty in the 65 kg, but bounced back and jumped a weight to compete at the World Team Trials. After securing a place in Final X, Bruntil survived a three-match battle against former World bronze medalist Forrest Molinari. Each of the final two bouts were one-point affairs in the only three-match series of the women’s portion of Final X. Earlier in the year, Bruntil attended a pair of Ranking Series events at 65 kg. She came away with silver in Egypt and was fifth in Croatia. While this is her first Senior World event, Bruntil has been on the U23 team in each of the last two years. She has plenty of international experience under her belt, as she wrestled in five other international tournaments (aside from U23’s) in 2022. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Tamyra Mensah-Stock (USA) Silver: Ami Ishii (Japan) Bronze: Irina Ringaci (Moldova) Bronze: Linda Morais (Canada) 72kg Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL) - 2022 World 7th Place Shauna KUEBECK (CAN) - 2022 World 8th Place QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) - 2022 World 10th Place, 2016 Asian Bronze Medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) - 2x U23 World Medalist (2,3), 2023 European 5th Place Ilana KRATYSH (ISR) - 3x European Silver Medalist Dalma CANEVA (ITA) - 2018 World 9th Place, 2020 European Silver Medalist Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) - 2022 World Champion, 2x World Medalist (1,2), 2022 Asian Champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) - 2x World Silver Medalist, 3x Asian Champion Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) - 2022 U20 World Silver Medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) - 2x Asian Bronze Medalist, 2021 World 5th Place Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL) - 2019 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 European Bronze MedalistFanni NAGY NAD (SRB) - 2023 European U23 Bronze Medalist Nesrin BAS (TUR) - 2022 U23 World Champion, 2023 European Bronze Medalist Alina RUDNYTSKA LEVYTSKA (UKR) Jyoti BERWAL (UWW) Kseniia Burakova (AIN - RUS) - 2021 World 13th Place 72 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) #2 Amit ELOR (USA) #3 Dalma CANEVA (ITA) #4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) #5 Shauna KUEBECK (CAN) #6 Kendra DACHER (FRA) #7 QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) #8 Alina LEVYTSKA (UKR) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (3) Miwa Morikawa (JPN), Zhamila Bakbergenova (KAZ), Amit Elor (USA) The American Entry: Amit Elor 2022 was an incredible year for Amit Elor. In her first Senior World appearance, Elor became the youngest American to ever win a world title at 18. Sandwiched around her world title were gold medals at the U20 and U23 World Championships. Elor did not surrender a point in the 2022 finals and teched a past world silver medalist. In 2023, Elor is already a third of the way towards another championship tremble. She did not surrender a single point during her four matches in Jordan at the U23 World Championships. Elor earned her spot on the 2023 world team with a pair of 10-0 tech’s over Joye Levendusky at Final X. She posted the same two scores at Final X in 2022. Elor’s primary competition will come from two-time world finalist Miwa Morikawa, a 2022 world champion, who has made a two-weight class jump for the year. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Amit Elor (USA) Silver: Zhamila Bakbergenova (KAZ) Bronze: Masako Furuichi (JPN) Bronze: Alexandra Anghel (ROM) 76kg Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN - BLR) - 2021 U23 World 5th Place, 2019 European U23 Champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN) - 2018 World Champion, 4x Pan-American Champion Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) - 2018 Junior World Champion Amy YOUIN (CIV) - 2x African Silver Medalist Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) - 2023 Pan-American Silver Medalist, 2022 U23 World Champion, 2x U23 World Medalist (1,2) Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) - 2023 Pan-American Champion, 2019 U23/Junior World Champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) - 3x Pan-American Silver Medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) - 2x World Medalist (2,3), 6x African Champion, 2x Olympian Epp MAE (EST) - 4x World Medalist (2,3 x3), 2021 European Champion Cynthia VESCAN (FRA) - 2021 World 5th Place, 3x European Bronze Medalist Francy RAEDELT (GER) - 2017 U23 World Bronze Medalist Enrica RINALDI (ITA) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 European Bronze Medalist Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) - 2022 World Bronze Medalist, 2019 Asian Champion, 2019 U23 World Silver Medalist Inkara ZHANATAYEVA (KAZ) - 2022 U23 World 5th Place, 2023 Asian U23 Bronze Medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) - 2021 World Bronze Medalist, 2022 Asian Champion, 2021 Olympic 5th Place Jimin BAEK (KOR) Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) - 2019 World 10th Place, 2021 U23 World 9th Place Atzimba LANDAVERDE (MEX) Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL) - 2021 World 7th Place, 2021 Asian 5th Place Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) - 2x African Champion Marion BYE (NOR) - 2023 European 5th Place, 2022 European U23 3rd Place Catalina AXENTE (ROU) - 2x European Bronze Medalist, 2018 U23 World 5th Place Rita TALISMANOVA (AIN - RUS) Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR) Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) - 2021 U23 World Champion, 2019 Junior World Bronze Medalist Divya KAKRAN (UWW) - 2021 U23 World Bronze Medalist, 2x Asian Champion Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) - 2022 World 5th Place, 3x Asian 5th Place Maria ACOSTA (VEN) - 5x Pan-American Bronze Medalist Thi Linh DANG (VIE) - 2023 Asian U23 5th Place 76 kg Pre-Seeds #1 Samar HAMZA (EGY) #2 Genesis REASCO (ECU) #3 Epp MAE (EST) #4 Justina DI STASIO (CAN) #5 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) #6 Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) #7 Cynthia VESCAN (FRA) #8 Francy RAEDELT (GER) Past World/Olympic Medalists (Senior Level Only): (6) Justina DiStasio (CAN), Samar Hamza (EGY), Epp Mae (Estonia), Yuka Kagami (JPN), Aiperi Medet Kyzy (KGZ), Adeline Gray (USA) The American Entry: Adeline Gray The legend is back! Adeline Gray was unable to compete in 2022 due to the birth of twins, but has returned to add to her storied legacy. In 2021, Gray became the first American wrestler to win six world titles and earlier that year added an Olympic silver. Just a few weeks after she was medically cleared to compete, Gray was soundly defeated in the US Open finals by Kennedy Blades. Less than a month later, Gray looked much better at the World Team Trials, pinning or teching Skylar Grote, Kylie Welker, and Dymond Guilford. The Trials win set the stage for a Final X rematch with Blades. While Blades has an extremely bright future, Gray ensured that it’s just that, the future, as she swept the series 7-5 and with a clinching fall in match two. Like the rest of the Olympic weights, this bracket is pretty stacked. With Gray’s longevity, she has a history with most of the key contenders here. She proved at the Trials and Final X, how much she could improve as she works her way back into top form. With another three months after Final X and even better Gray could be a scary proposition. 2022 World Championship Medalists Gold: Yasemin Adar (Turkey) Silver: Samar Hamza (Egypt) Bronze: Yuka Kagami (Japan) Bronze: Epp Mae (Estonia)

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Here is the one place for all content related to the 2023 Senior World Championships. This article will be modified as more content is released over the next week-plus. Recaps Three Americans Advance to Finals on Day One of 2023 World Championships Americans go 3-for-3 in Gold Medal Matches on Sunday Micic Wins World Title on Day 3 of 2023 World Championships Kilty Makes Finals; Men's Freestyle Team Claim Title US Women's Legends Add to Medal Count on Wednesday Elor Captures Second Senior World Title; US Women Finish Second Rau Advances to Saturday's Repechage in Greco-Roman Final Results Men's Freestyle Women's Freestyle Greco-Roman Brackets Men's Freestyle Women's Freestyle Greco-Roman Previews Men's Freestyle Part One (57 kg - 74 kg) Men's Freestyle Part Two (79 kg - 125 kg) Women's Freestyle Part One (50 kg - 59 kg) Women's Freestyle Part Two (62 kg - 76 kg) Men's Greco-Roman Part One (55 kg - 72 kg) Men's Greco-Roman Part Two (77 kg - 130 kg) Additional Content Transfers at the 2023 World Championships Senior World Champions Since 2013 Gable Out; Mason Parris In for 2023 World Championships Head-to-Head Records for Team USA at World's/Olympics Since 2016 2024 Olympic Quota Tracker Who's In and Who Needs Quota's for the 2024 Olympics - Men's Freestyle Who's In and Who Needs Quota's for the 2024 Olympics - Women's Freestyle Who's In and Who Needs Quota's for the 2024 Olympics - Greco-Roman 2023 World Championships: Medal Milestone List

It’s mid-August so that means the college season is about two and a half months away from the first whistles blowing. That also means we should be inundated with college schedules in the coming days and weeks. On Thursday, a big one dropped as Cornell released their 2023-24 slate. Later that day, Lehigh released theirs as well. Here’s a running list, along with links, for the DI schools that have released schedules thus far. It will be updated as more are released. Air Force American Appalachian State Army West Point Bellarmine Bloomsburg Brown Bucknell Buffalo California Baptist Central Michigan Chattanooga Clarion Columbia Cornell - Link to Schedule breakdown Davidson Duke Franklin & Marshall Gardner-Webb George Mason Harvard Hofstra Illinois Indiana Iowa State Kent State Lehigh Lindenwood Little Rock Lock Haven Long Island Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Morgan State Navy Nebraska North Carolina Northern Colorado Ohio Ohio State Oklahoma Oklahoma State Oregon State Penn Penn State Pittsburgh Princeton Rider Rutgers SIU Edwardsville South Dakota State The Citadel Utah Valley Virginia Virginia Tech VMI West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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