Sumit Malik of India secured his spot in the U20 World Wrestling Championships final on Monday with a commanding performance in the 57kg weight class. In the semifinal, Malik defeated Ion Bulgaru (MDA) 11-3, demonstrating unrelenting offensive intent and shrewd defense to give himself a chance at the gold medal.
On the activity clock, Malik took the lead with a stepout before adding another stepout and takedown to lead 4-0 going into the break. In the second session, he continued to apply pressure, increasing the lead with a stepout and takedown to make it 7-0.
Bulgaru countered with a takedown on the edge for a brief while, but Malik’s momentum was too strong, and he won with another stepout and takedown.
Although both wrestlers received warnings for making open-hand contact, the Indian persevered to win by a commanding 11–3. After the Russian-trained wrestler defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurdanat Aitanov 3-1 in the other semifinal, Malik will now compete against Magomed Ozdamirov (UWW) for the gold medal.
In other news, Kamil Kurugliyev of Kazakhstan advanced to the 92kg final, continuing his comeback. After placing fifth in 2023 and winning bronze in 2024 at 97 kg, the former U17 world champion dropped to 92 kg this year and has already upgraded his medal.
He defeated returning bronze medallist Anar Jafarli of Azerbaijan 9–6 in a tight semifinal, primarily because of an early four-pointer. Kurugliyev will play Sherzod Poyonov (UZB), the Asian U20 champion who advanced after pinning Gadzhimurad Gadzhibatyrov (UWW).
With two finals, the US had a successful day as well. Luke Stanich defeated Amal Dzhandubaev (UWW), the European U20 and U23 champion, 3-1 at 65kg thanks to his disciplined wrestling and a resounding second-period takedown.
He will face Reiji Uchida of Japan, who used stepouts and a lace attack to completely destroy Viktor Borohan (UKR) 10-0. Pan-American U20 champion William Henckel, weighing 79 kg, defeated Asian U20 champion Amit (IND) 5–4 by using an early takedown-and-gut strategy and persevering through a late Indian comeback.
Mahdi Yousefi of Iran, a senior Asian champion and returning bronze medalist, will be Henckel’s last opponent. He defeated Said Saidulov (UWW) 15–7 in a high-scoring fight.
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