We've reached the last full day of the 2026 Senior World Championships, which means we're about to watch the penultimate set of medal matches from Astana, Kazakhstan. And we're bringing you live updates of the bronze and gold medal matches for 61, 70, 86 and 125 kg in men's freestyle in our award-winning live blog.
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Team USA delivered another memorable performance on Day 8 of the 2026 Senior World Championships, with Kyle Dake leading the way by capturing his fifth career world championship.
Marcus Blaze, Zain Retherford and Wyatt Hendrickson also reached the podium with bronze-medal victories.
Dake capped the day with a 3-2 victory over Azerbaijan's Arsenii Dzhioev in the 86kg gold-medal match. The win secured Dake's fifth Senior World Championships title and makes him a world champion at a third different weight class.
Three other Americans reached the podium with bronze-medal victories. Blaze defeated Kazakhstan's Assyl Aitkyn, 4-2, at 61kg, holding off the local wrestler in the closing seconds.
Retherford followed with a 4-0 shutout of Canada's Lachlan McNeil at 70kg, using two first-period takedowns to build his lead.
At 125kg, Hendrickson needed less than 30 seconds to defeat India's Singh Jaspooran by technical superiority, scoring a takedown and four gut-wrench turns.
The final day of Senior Worlds is next, with Spencer Lee (57kg), James Green (74kg), Levi Haines (79kg) and Trent Hidlay (92kg) set to close out the competition for Team USA. Lee, Haines and Hidlay will compete for gold, while Green looks to advance through repechage and earn another opportunity to wrestle for a medal.
3:00 PM
Full Day 8 Men's Freestyle Medal Results
61 kg
- Bronze: Marcus Blaze (United States) defeats Assyl Aitkyn (Kazakhstan), 4-2
- Bronze: Kwang Kim (North Korea) defeats Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania), 3-3 on criteria
- Gold: Ahmad Mohammadnezhadjavan (Iran) defeats Zavur Uguev (Russia), 9-2
125 kg
- Bronze: Wyatt Hendrickson (United States) defeats Singh Jaspooran (India), 10-0
- Bronze: Giorgi Meshvildishvili (Azerbaijan) defeats Vlagyiszlav Bajcajev (Hungary), Disqualification
- Gold: Amir Zare (Iran) defeats Abdulla Kurbanov (Russia), 11-0
70 kg
- Bronze: Zain Retherford (United States) defeats Lachlan McNeil (Canada), 4-0
- Bronze: Tulga Tumur Ochir (Mongolia) defeats Vasile Diacon (Moldova), Fall 3:55
- Gold: Ibragim Ibragimov (Russia) defeats Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan), 5-2
86 kg
- Bronze: Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (Georgia) defeats Georgios Kougioumtsidis (Greece), 6-0
- Bronze: Malik Shavaev (Kyrgyzstan) defeats Ibragim Kadiev (Russia), 4-3
- Gold: Kyle Dake (United States) defeats Arsenii Dzhioev (Azerbaijan), 3-2
2:56 PM
86kg Gold-Medal Match: Kyle Dake (USA) defeats Arsenii Dzhioev (AZE), 3-2
1st period: Both wrestlers receive warnings for being too aggressive in the handfight as the opening minute passes without a score. Dzhioev is called for his first passivity, then receives a second passivity warning and goes on the activity clock. After another warning to both wrestlers to watch their handfighting, Dzhioev fails to score, putting Dake on the board for a 1-0 lead. Dake is then called for passivity. Dzhioev digs for an underhook and drives Dake toward the edge, but Dake circles back to the center to close the period.
2nd period: Dake pressures forward and looks to duck under Dzhioev's arm. He gets a leg in the air, trips Dzhioev and converts the takedown to take a 3-0 lead. Dzhioev responds by driving Dake out of bounds for a stepout, making it 3-1 with two minutes remaining. Dzhioev continues working for an underhook, while Dake makes his way back to the center. Dzhioev is called for another passivity violation and goes on the activity clock with one minute left. He works toward the edge, but Dake circles back again. Dzhioev earns a point when the activity clock expires, cutting the lead to 3-2 with 30 seconds remaining. Dake fends off Dzhioev's pressure, and with 11 seconds left, Dzhioev gets in on the legs. Dake locks around his chest and holds on as time expires. He captures his fifth Senior World title, becoming a world champion at a third different weight class.
2:46 PM
86kg Bronze-Medal Match: Malik Shavaev (KGZ) defeats Ibragim Kadiev (RUS), 4-3
Malik Shavaev of Kyrgyzstan defeated Russia's Ibragim Kadiev, 4-3, to claim the other 86kg bronze medal.
2:40 PM
86kg Bronze-Medal Match: Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO) defeats Georgios Kougioumtsidis (GRE), 6-0
1st period: The opening minute passes without a score before Kougioumtsidis receives his second passivity call and goes on the activity clock. Gamkrelidze uses an arm drag to get Kougioumtsidis into a quad pod position. When the activity clock expires, Gamkrelidze earns a point and breaks Kougioumtsidis down for a takedown to lead 3-0. Kougioumtsidis attacks with a high crotch, but Gamkrelidze defends and turns the position into a duck-under takedown of his own to extend the lead to 5-0 heading into the break.
2nd period: The wrestlers trade handfighting in the center before Kougioumtsidis receives another passivity call and goes back on the activity clock. He attempts a low shot, but Gamkrelidze continues blocking with his head. When the clock expires, Gamkrelidze earns another point to make it 6-0. Kougioumtsidis continues using fakes and half-shots, but cannot find an opening. Gamkrelidze holds on for the 6-0 shutout and the 86kg bronze medal.
2:22 PM
70kg Gold-Medal Match: Ibragim Ibragimov (RUS) defeats Ernazar Akmataliev (KGZ), 5-2
1st period: Akmataliev is called for passivity about a minute into the match. Ibragimov gets to a single leg on his feet and dumps Akmataliev to the mat for a takedown. He immediately transitions to a gut wrench and scores two exposure points to take a 4-0 lead. Ibragimov quickly returns to the attack after the restart, pushing Akmataliev to the edge for a stepout and a 5-0 advantage. The period ends with Ibragimov in control.
2nd period: Ibragimov digs for an underhook as the wrestlers work from an over-under position. Akmataliev attempts a throw, but it is ruled a slip. The wrestlers return to their feet, where Akmataliev gets to a front headlock, but Ibragimov drags out of the position. Akmataliev works back to another front headlock with 1:30 remaining, trying to pull Ibragimov to the mat. After a series of fakes, Akmataliev shoots underneath. Ibragimov gets Akmataliev in a front headlock. Akmataliev continues pressuring toward the edge before getting to a leg and dragging Ibragimov back in to finish a takedown. However, time expires, and Ibragimov secures the 5-2 victory and the 70kg world title.
2:10 PM
70kg Bronze-Medal Match: Tulga Tumur Ochir (MGL) defeats Vasile Diacon (MDA), Fall 3:55
Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia defeated Moldova's Vasile Diacon by fall at 3:55 in the other 70kg bronze-medal match.
2:08 PM
70kg Bronze-Medal Match: Zain Retherford (USA) defeats Lachlan McNeil (CAN), 4-0
1st period: Retherford immediately attacks with a double-leg, lifting McNeil and bringing him to the mat while looking for exposure, but no additional points are awarded. Retherford attacks again with a double, switches to a single and captures McNeil's other ankle to finish the takedown and take a 2-0 lead. Retherford stays heavy on the head and is warned for hands to the face. He gets to another double, transitions to a single and finishes the takedown to extend his lead to 4-0.
2nd period: Retherford uses a series of fakes to draw reactions from McNeil. McNeil fires an attack, but Retherford catches him in a front headlock, and the officials call a stalemate. The wrestlers continue handfighting in the center as the clock winds down. A blood timeout is called with one minute remaining as McNeil's head is bleeding, and his head wrap is rewrapped. McNeil begins to increase his pace with 30 seconds left, but Retherford maintains strong head-and-hand defense and circles away to secure the 4-0 victory and the 70kg bronze medal for Team USA.
1:50 PM
125kg Gold-Medal Match: Amir Zare (IRI) defeats Abdulla Kurbanov (RUS), 11-0
1st period: Zare earns an early stepout to take a 1-0 lead. Kurbanov attacks with a high crotch, but Zare stuffs the attempt and works short offense before settling for another stepout. A blood timeout is called as Kurbanov's ear begins bleeding. Kurbanov attempts a single leg, but Zare works back to his feet, drives him toward the edge and earns another stepout to go up 3-0. Zare gets to an underhook and picks up another stepout, then adds one more on a shot attempt near the edge to take a 5-0 lead into the break.
2nd period: Zare snaps Kurbanov down into a front headlock and runs behind for a takedown. He adds two more points with a gut wrench to extend his lead to 9-0. Kurbanov attempts a single leg, but Zare runs behind for another takedown to secure the 11-0 technical superiority and claim his fourth world title.
1:41 PM
125kg Bronze-Medal Match: Giorgi Meshvildishvili (AZE) defeats Vlagyiszlav Bajcajev (HUN), Disqualification
Giorgi Meshvildishvili of Azerbaijan defeated Hungary's Vlagyiszlav Bajcajev by disqualification in the other 125kg bronze-medal match.
1:35 PM
125kg Bronze-Medal Match: Wyatt Hendrickson (USA) defeats Singh Jaspooran (IND), 10-0
1st period: Hendrickson shoots immediately off the whistle and converts the takedown. He quickly gets to a gut wrench and rolls Jaspooran over four times to secure the technical fall in less than 30 seconds. Team USA adds another bronze medal.
1:28 PM
61kg Gold-Medal Match: Ahmad Mohammadnezhadjavan (IRI) defeats Zavur Uguev (RUS), 9-2
1st period: Uguev is warned for hands to the face before Mohammadnezhadjavan receives a passivity call. Mohammadnezhadjavan looks for a pushout near the edge, but Uguev circles back in. After the officials confer, Mohammadnezhadjavan is awarded the stepout point for a 1-0 lead. He follows with a slide-by and takes Uguev to the mat, but his leg remains in, preventing a takedown. Uguev is then called for passivity, and the wrestlers continue handfighting through the end of the period.
2nd period: Uguev attempts a duck-under off the whistle before Mohammadnezhadjavan receives his second passivity call and goes on the activity clock. The handfighting continues, and Uguev earns a point to tie the score at 1-1 and take the lead on criteria. Uguev then receives his second passivity call and goes on the activity clock, but he gets to a high crotch and drives Mohammadnezhadjavan out of bounds for a stepout to lead 2-1. Mohammadnezhadjavan answers with a double-leg takedown and adds a gut wrench to take a 5-2 lead. Uguev shoots off the whistle, but Mohammadnezhadjavan sprawls and gets behind for another takedown, extending his advantage to 7-2. A desperate duck-under attempt from Uguev leads to one more takedown for Mohammadnezhadjavan, who goes up 9-2 and circles away during the closing seconds to secure the victory and world title.
1:16 PM
61kg Bronze-Medal Match: Kwang Kim (PRK) defeats Zelimkhan Abakarov (ALB), 3-3
Kwang Kim of North Korea defeated Albania's Zelimkhan Abakarov, 3-3, in the other 61kg bronze-medal match.
1:15 PM
61kg Bronze-Medal Match: Marcus Blaze (USA) defeats Assyl Aitkyn (KAZ), 4-2
1st period: The opening minute passes without a score as Blaze holds position. He receives his second passivity call and goes on the activity clock. Blaze fails to score, giving Aitkyn a 1-0 lead. After Blaze is accidentally poked in the eye, action continues, and he immediately pounces on an ankle pick for a takedown. Blaze adds a gut wrench to take a 4-1 lead as the first period comes to a close.
2nd period: Blaze digs for an underhook but is called for interlocking fingers, giving Aitkyn a point to make it 4-2 with 1:30 remaining. Blaze looks to run the corner off a front headlock, but Aitkyn circles out. With one minute left, Blaze gets another front headlock near the edge, and Aitkyn works back to his feet. Aitkyn pushes forward with five seconds remaining, but Blaze holds on to secure the 4-2 victory, upsetting the locals in Astana to capture the 61kg bronze medal for Team USA.
1:00 PM
Team USA Brings Four Medal Contenders Into Men's Freestyle Finals
Team USA has four opportunities to add to its medal total in the men's freestyle medal session. Marcus Blaze (61kg), Zain Retherford (70kg) and Wyatt Hendrickson (125kg) will each take the mat with bronze on the line. Kyle Dake (86kg) will have the chance to headline the session with a shot at his fifth world title, which would come at his third different weight class.
12:45 PM
Green Gets Another Shot At A Medal
James Green is back in medal contention at 74kg after Russia's Inalbek Sheriev defeated Slovakia's Tajmuraz Salkazanov, 3-1, in the semifinals. Green will now look to take advantage of the second chance and fight his way into the bronze-medal match.
12:30 PM
Hidlay Has Title Defense In Sight
Trent Hidlay defeated Iran's Amirhossein Firouzpourbandpei, 11-8, in the 92kg semifinals to secure his place in the gold-medal match. Hidlay will now have a chance to defend his world title and become a two-time Senior World champion.
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12:15 PM
Lee Sets Up Showdown With Roman Bravo-Young
Spencer Lee pinned Azerbaijan's Islam Bazarganov at 4:16 to earn a spot in the 57kg gold-medal match. Lee will face a familiar opponent in Mexico's Roman Bravo-Young in the finals, giving him a chance to capture his first Senior World title.
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12:00 PM
Haines Gets Another Shot At Gold
Levi Haines defeated Mongolia's Suldkhuu Olonbayar, 3-3, on criteria in the 79kg semifinals. Haines returns to the world finals after winning silver at last year's championships. He'll look to take the final step this time and turn silver into gold.
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11:51 AM
FloWrestling Archived Footage
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