2026 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships Day 2: Tevanyan Wins Silver, Bassett and Snyder Claim World Titles

On October 30, the second day of competition at the 2026 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan. The first two sets of men's medals were awarded in the 65 kg and 97 kg weight categories. Both gold medals went to American wrestlers — Bo Bassett and Kyle Snyder.

The highlight of the day for Armenia was Vazgen Tevanyan's performance. The Armenian wrestler reached the final of the senior World Championships for the first time in his career and claimed the silver medal.

Vazgen Tevanyan Wins World Championship Silver

In the 65 kg final, 27-year-old Armenian wrestler Vazgen Tevanyan faced 20-year-old American Bo Bassett.

The American delivered a dominant performance in the decisive bout, securing a 9-1 victory and winning his first senior World Championship gold medal.

For Tevanyan, the silver medal marked a new career achievement. The Armenian wrestler had previously won bronze at the 2023 World Championships and was also crowned European champion that same year.

Tevanyan's road to the final was far from easy. In the quarterfinals, he secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over reigning world champion Rahman Amouzad of Iran. He then defeated Bulgaria's Shamil Mamedov 2-1 in the semifinals.

Despite losing the final, Tevanyan improved on his previous best result at the World Championships and secured Armenia's first medal at the 2026 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships.

In the bronze medal matches, Rahman Amouzad defeated Shamil Mamedov 5-4, while Russia's Abasgadzhi Magomedov overcame Abdulmajid Kudiev of Tajikistan 3-2.

Final Standings — 65 kg

1. Bo Bassett (USA)

2. Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia)

3. Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia) and Rahman Amouzad (Iran)

Medal matches:

• Final: Vazgen Tevanyan (Armenia) vs. Bo Bassett (USA) — 1-9.

• Bronze medal match: Rahman Amouzad (Iran) vs. Shamil Mamedov (Bulgaria) — 5-4.

• Bronze medal match: Abasgadzhi Magomedov (Russia) vs. Abdulmajid Kudiev (Tajikistan) — 3-2.

Kyle Snyder Becomes a Five-Time World Champion

In the 97 kg weight category, the gold medal went to one of the most decorated wrestlers of the modern era, American Kyle Snyder.

In the final, he faced Japan's Arash Yoshida. The bout ended in a 4-4 tie, but Snyder was awarded the victory based on tiebreaking criteria.

The 30-year-old American thus claimed the fifth world title of his career, further cementing his status as one of the best wrestlers in the world.

The bronze medals went to two other stars of international wrestling.

Russia's Abdulrashid Sadulaev comfortably defeated Poland's Zbigniew Baranowski 5-0, while Iran's Hassan Yazdani recorded an identical 5-0 victory over Akhmed Tazhudinov of Bahrain.

Final Standings — 97 kg

1. Kyle Snyder (USA)

2. Arash Yoshida (Japan)

3. Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) and Hassan Yazdani (Iran)

Medal matches:

• Final: Kyle Snyder (USA) vs. Arash Yoshida (Japan) — 4-4, Snyder won on criteria.

• Bronze medal match: Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia) vs. Zbigniew Baranowski (Poland) — 5-0.

• Bronze medal match: Hassan Yazdani (Iran) vs. Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain) — 5-0.

World Freestyle Wrestling Championships Finals on October 31

On the third day of competition, world champions will be crowned in four additional weight categories.

Final matchups:

• 61 kg: Zaur Uguev (Russia) vs. Ahmad Mohammadnejad Javan (Iran).

• 70 kg: Ibragim Ibragimov (Russia) vs. Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan).

• 86 kg: Arseniy Dzhioev (Azerbaijan) vs. Kyle Dake (USA).

• 125 kg: Abdulla Kurbanov (Russia) vs. Amir Zare (Iran).

The World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Astana will continue on October 31. Medals in the remaining weight categories will be awarded over the following days, while the Armenian national team will continue its pursuit of additional podium finishes.