World Championships 2026 Greco-Roman 55kg, 60kg, 77kg, 82kg Highlights

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 24) -- The World Championships 2026 kick off in Astana, Kazakhstan on Saturday with four Greco-Roman weight classes -- 55kg, 60kg, 77kg, and 82kg. The defending champions in all four weight classes are in action.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE | GRECO-ROMAN PREVIEW

14:36: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) gains a semifinal berth and a measure of revenge with a 6-2 victory over Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) in their 55kg quarterfinal that capped the morning session. Lolua scores a 4-point throw from par terre in the first period, then survives Sefershaev's attacks to avenge his loss to the Russian in the final at this year's European Championships. 

14:32: Iskhar KURUBAYEV (KAZ) gives the home team another semifinalist with a solid 5-1 victory over Artiom DELEANU (MDA). After holding out on bottom in par terre, Kurubayev gains a stepout off a throw attempt to lead 1-1 at the break. He adds another stepout early in the second period, then puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre.  

14:25: Four-time world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) with three rolls after takedown to beat Aleksandr GUREV (BLR) to enter the semifinals at 55kg. He looks in top form in Astana but big test awaits the veteran if he wants to win the fifth title. 

14:28: Returning silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) with a technical superiority, 9-0, win over LALIT (IND) in the 55kg quarterfinals. He goes behind and then hits a suplex before lifting Lalit again and dumping him on the mat to win 8-0. A lost challenge adds one more point to his score.

14:20: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) gets the roll from par terre in the second period and the defending champ is into the 60kg semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE).

14:20: U23 world champion Koto GOMI (JPN) takes out Olympic bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN), 7-1, in the 60kg quarterfinals. Gomi scored two counter throws and defended the par terre position to enter the semifinals and a win away from his first world medal

14:19: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) continues his aerial attack in Astana, scoring twice with 4-point throws in a 13-4 victory over Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ) to advance to the 60kg semifinals. Ganiev opens with a 4-pointer from par terre in the first period. In the second, Zhaparov counters a throw attempt and scores a 4-point throw of his own. Ganiev shrugs it off and gets back to work, hitting an arm throw for 4, then adding a roll and a 2-point throw to finish the match in 3:17.

14:12: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI), who missed out on a medal last year, is into the semifinals at 60kg after a quick 8-0 win over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU). He scores his points from throwing Arnaut with ease and complete a first-period win.

14:09: Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) takes out Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 10-2, in the quarterfinals. He scores his points using the gut-wrench and moves into the semifinals at 82kg.

14:08: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) hangs on for a 3-2 win over world bronze medalist Karlo KODRIC (CRO) in the 82kg quarterfinals. Gadzhiev scored a correct throw from par terre to take a 3-0 lead before giving up only two points.

14:06: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) shows why he remains among the most exciting wrestlers in the world when the two-time world champion rallies from a six-point deficit in the final minute to stun Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) 7-6 and advance to the 82kg semifinals. It was all Gurbanov at the start when he gained a takedown, a roll and an exposure for a quick 6-0 lead. In the second period, prospects looked bleak for Makhmudov when he spun behind for a takedown. With a reverse grip, he then lifted and spun Gurbanov for a 4-point throw with :36 left. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point. 

14:00: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) moves a step closer to a title repeat at 82kg and conserves some energy for his semifinal after demolishing Mihail BRADU (MDA) 9-0 in their quarterfinal bout. Put on top in par terre, Farokhi then reels off a combination of four straight rolls and exposures to finish the match in 2:20. 

13:53: Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) bursts the bubble of Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ), gaining the decisive gut wrench from par terre in the second period for a 4-3 win and a place in the last four at 77kg. Maulitkanov gained an early 2 points, but can't score from top in par terre. Down 3-0, Kubatov goes ahead with his roll, with an unsuccessful challenge point tagged on. 

13:52: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), a former world silver medalist, is back in the semifinals at World Championships after a 5-1 win over Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB). He led 3-1 before Nakibov tried a desperate throw but gave up another takedown at the end.

13:50: Ali OSKOU (IRI) jumps out to an early lead and holds on to defeat Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 5-1, securing his place in the 77kg semifinals.  Oskou opens with a takedown and throw, then gets a passivity point to lead 5-0 at the break. Fritsch gets his chance in par terre in the second period, but Oskou resists and finishes up the win.

13:50: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), searching for his first medal at the senior World Championships, reaches the 77kg semifinals with  6-4 win over Shuai MAMEDAU (BLR). Gutu manages to hit a big throw on Mamedau in his win.

13:38: Returning 55kg silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) gets his 20th birthday started by advancing to the quarterfinals with a 10-1 victory over Max NOWRY (USA). After jumping out to a 4-1 lead, Ahmadi counters a standing headlock attempt with a duck under that sends Nowry directly to his back for 4, then adds a 2-point roll to finish up the match in 1:29.

13:32: Defending 55kg champion Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) is safely into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM). That sets up a rematch with Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) of this year's final at the European Championships, which the Russian won 2-1.

13:20: Defending 60kg champion Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) dodges a bullet and keeps his hopes of a title repeat alive with a nail-biting 4-3 victory over Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) in his opening match in the second round. Allakhiarov jumps out to a 3-0 lead with a throw from par terre, but fails to finish off a second one. The Russian side challenges, but it fails, making it 3-1. In the second period, Sultangali takes advantage of his chance in par terre, executing a gut wrench to move ahead. Sultangali nearly pads his lead with a slick arm drag, but Allakhiarov somehow manages to slip away. Sultangali than goes on the defensive and runs out the clock to book his quarterfinal spot.  

13:14: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) hangs on to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Ikhiyor BOTIROV (UZB). Kurabayev leads 1-1 on criteria after both receive a passivity point. Botirov gets a second chance in the second period, but he can't budge Kurabayev. The Uzbek side challenges, but there is nothing there and Kurabayev gets a bonus point. 

13:10: A minute and 43 seconds is all Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) needed to score a 9-0 win over Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) as he moves into the 55kg quarterfinals

13:07: Returning 60kg silver medalist and top seed Alisher GANIEV (UZB) sees his hot start against Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU), which includes a 5-point throw, all wiped out on challenge for a violation prior to his first scoring move. But he shrugs it off and comes back with a pair of 4-pointers to advance to the quarterfinals 8-0 in 1:36.

12:59: Six months ago in Bishkek, Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) grinded out a 9-8 win over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) in the semifinals of the Asian Championships en route to the gold medal. In Astana, the two met for a place in the 82kg quarterfinals, and Badaghimofrad prevailed again, holding on for a 4-3 victory, much to the dismay of the partisan crowd.

12:46: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) begins his title defense at 82kg by breaking open a close match with Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the second period by building a 6-0 lead before finishing it off with a fall at 4:19. 

12:45: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) continues his quest to add the 82kg title to his two previous ones at 77kg by taking down 2025 silver medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) 9-0. Makhmudov used his powerful chest wrap from par terre to turn Bolkvadze, and gained the decisive points when his opponent was assessed a leg foul during a last, desperation challenge.

12:30: Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) sends the home crowd into a frenzy with an opportunistic 4-2 victory over reigning 77kg champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM). Amoyan gets the first chance in par terre, but his throw attempt falls apart and the two land on the mat facing each other. Maulitkanov uses the opening to throw Amoyan and, as determined on challenge, gains an extra 2 points from a leg foul by Amoyan to lead 4-1. Amoyan can only add a point in the second period and his reign is over. 

12:27: In a rematch of the 2023 world final at 72kg that he lost, returning bronze medalist Robert FRITSCH (HUN) pulls off a thrilling 6-1 victory over Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) to advance to the 77kg quarterfinals. Both had received a passivity point, but Fritsch trailed on criteria late in the second period. He managed to gain a standing front headlock, and then muscled Ghanem onto his back for 4. The mat referee signaled a fall, but it was not confirmed, and an unsuccessful challenge gave Fritsch his sixth point. 

12:10: Asian Championships silver medalist Ali OSKOU (IRI) counters Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) when the Kyrgyzstan wrestler tries a reverse left. A unintentional flying squirrel move from Oskou which gives him 4 points. He wins 12-1

11:58: In a 60kg thriller on Mat B that featured a trade of 4-pointers, European silver medalist Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) outlasts Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) 9-6. Aghajanyan opens with a 4-point arm throw, but Khachidze gets behind for a reversal. He then tosses Aghajanyan with a back suplex to go ahead 5-4, only for the Armenian to score a stepout to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Khachidze retakes the lead with a stepout, but Aghajanyan comes back with a takedown and gut wrench for the win.

11:39: Veteran Viktor NEMES (SRB), looking to add a world gold to the one he claimed way back in 2017, uses a high chest wrap to turn over Asian bronze medalist PRINCE (IND) from par terre in the second period, and, following a long delay to stop a bleeding head cut, that's all he needs for a 3-1 victory to advance at 82kg.

11:48: In a clash between two medalists at 63kg at the 2023 worlds, Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) defeats Enes BASAR (TUR) 6-2 in a match with the majority of the points scored in the final 10 seconds. Mammadov gets the earlier of the two passivity calls and that has him ahead 1-1 on criteria. With the clock ticking down, Basar attempts the flying squirrel, only for Mammadov to lean backwards and flip Basar to his back for a 5-point move. Basar reversed, but couldn't get a turn as time ran out.   

11:45: Jamal VALIZADEH (EOR), part of the Olympic Refugee Team, makes his debut at the World Championships before the LA 2028 against Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) at 60kg. Allakhiarov wins  the bout 8-0

11:25: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), the 2022 world silver medalist at 77kg now at 82kg, fights off a headlock attempt by Bada Lee (KOR) for a takedown that the Korean side unsuccessfully challenges, then gets a passivity point to go into the break up 4-0. In the second period, Lee tries another throw, but Levai shuts it down for a 4-point takedown and an 8-0 win.

11:18: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) with a big throw from par terre against Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY) to put up a 5-1 win at 82kg. The 77kg former world champion and Asian champion is hoping to win his third world title but first at the new weight.

11:17: Iranian-born Ali ARSALAN (SRB), a former world champion and three-time world medalist at 72kg, begins his campaign at 77kg  with a 7-3 win over Oleh KHALILOV (UKR). Khalilov gets the first passivity call but can't convert, and even has a stepout wiped out on challenge. In the second period, Arsalan gets his chance on top and reels off a gut wrench. The two trade stepouts before Arsalan clinches the victory with a late takedown.

11:10: Defending champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) faces Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) in the opening round at 77kg. He gets the first par terre position but fails to score any points from the position. Kutuzov gets the same position in the second period but fails to score as well. Amoyan with a 1-1 criteria win to get his defense at 77kg underway

11:02: Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ), a 2025 Asian bronze medalist, gets the morning home crowd going by opening his 77kg bout against Hyeonjin KANG (KOR) with a takedown, then adds a stepout while attempting a throw. Put on top in par terre, he gets the roll to make it 6-0. A duck-under takedown, confirmed on challenge, gives Maulitkanov a 9-0 victory.

10:52: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), looking to add a senior gold to his three world U23 titles, makes short work of Joilson DE BRITO (BRA) in their 77kg opener, finishing up an 8-0 victory in 1:17 with a slick 4-point throw.

10:51: Two-time Asian bronze medalist Doniyorkhan NAKIBOV (UZB) gets a pair of gut wrenches from par terre, then adds a takedown in the second period to finish off an 8-0 victory at 77kg over Singh LOVEPREET (IND).

10:43: Former world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) has moved up to 77kg weight class and he begins with a 4-0 win over Wenhao HU (CHN). Both par terre calls went his way with a turn for two points.

10:43: In a battle between former continental bronze medalists, Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) gets a 4-point throw from par terre and hangs on for a 6-3 victory at 77kg over Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER).

10:39: Asian silver medalist Ali OSKOU (IRI) gets the Iranian contingent off to a flying start, tossing Rokas CEPAUSKAS (LTU) twice with 4-point throws for an 11-0 win in their first-round match at 77kg. 

10:35: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), a former world silver medalist, gets his 77kg campaign underway with an 8-0 technical superiority over Isami HORIKITA (JPN). He hits a four-pointer from par terre before getting a roll for two more points. He finishes with a stepout to complete the victory.