Winners of the First Day of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Tournament Announced

On February 25, the second UWW Ranking Series tournament of the season — Muhamet Malo Ranking Series 2026 — kicked off in Tirana, the capital of Albania. On the first day of competition, the winners and medalists in freestyle wrestling were determined in the 57 kg, 61 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 74 kg, and 86 kg weight categories.

Freestyle competitions will continue on February 26 in the 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, and 125 kg divisions. Women’s wrestling will also begin that day in the 50 kg and 55 kg categories.

The first-day champions were Spencer Lee (USA), Zaur Uguev (Russia), Sujeet (India), Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan), Yones Emami (Iran), and Ibrahim Kadiev (Russia).

One of the biggest surprises was 21-year-old Ibrahim Kadiev’s 11–4 victory over Kyle Dake in the round of 16. In the final, the Russian wrestler confidently defeated reigning world champion Georgios Kougioumtsidis 15–4. Later, Olympic medalist Dake also lost in the bronze medal match.

Results of Day One – Muhamet Malo 2026

57 kg
Spencer Lee (USA)

Ramiz Gamzatov (Russia)

Horst Lehr (Germany) and Islam Bazarganov (Azerbaijan)

Final: Spencer Lee (USA) — Ramiz Gamzatov (Russia) 10:0

61 kg
Zaur Uguev (Russia)

Chermen Tavitov (Russia)

Austin DeSanto (USA) and Zelimkhan Abakarov (Albania)

Final: Zaur Uguev (Russia) — Chermen Tavitov (Russia) 5:2

65 kg
Sujit (India)

Rashid Babazade (Azerbaijan)

Joseph McKenna (USA) and Vitaliy Orujov (USA)

Final: Sujit (India) — Rashid Babazade (Azerbaijan) 10:0

70 kg
Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan)

Alec Pantaleo (USA)

Zalkarbek Tabaldiev (Kyrgyzstan) and Ibragim Ibragimov (Russia)

Final: Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan) — Alec Pantaleo (USA) 3:2

74 kg
Yones Emami (Iran)

Orozbek Toktomambetov (Kyrgyzstan)

Inalbek Sheriev (Russia) and Quincy Monday (USA)

Final: Yones Emami (Iran) — Orozbek Toktomambetov (Kyrgyzstan) 5:0

86 kg
Ibragim Kadiev (Russia)

Georgios Kougioumtzidis (Greece)

Arseniy Dzhioev (Azerbaijan) and Bolat Sakaev (Kazakhstan)

Final: Ibragim Kadiev (Russia) — Georgios Kougioumtzidis (Greece) 15:4

The Armenian national team is not participating in the tournament, although they took part last year. Last year’s results are HERE.