Kazakh Greco-Roman wrestler Bagdat Sabaz has won a bronze medal at the World Championships held in Astana. In the bronze medal match in the 67 kg weight category, he defeated Azerbaijani Hasrat Jafarov, the bronze medalist of the 2024 Olympics and two-time world vice-champion, 8-5. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Sabaz continued his fight for a medal through the repechage round. The day before, in the quarterfinals, the Kazakh lost to Iran's Olympic champion and current world champion Saeid Esmaeili, 2-7. The Iranian's advance to the final allowed Sabaz to enter the repechage bracket.
Today, October 27, the Kazakh defeated China's Jin Xinxing 8-5 and earned the right to fight for bronze. In the decisive match, Sabaz also proved stronger than Jafarov.
Sabaz's bronze became the third medal for Kazakhstan's Greco-Roman wrestling team at the home World Championships. Earlier, Iskhar Kurbaev in the 55 kg category and Aidos Sultangali in the 60 kg category took third places.
The other Kazakhs competing in the final weight categories of Greco-Roman wrestling did not reach the medals. Meirambek Ainagulov (63 kg) lost to Ukraine's Maksym Liu 7-9, Nursultan Tursynov (87 kg) lost to Armenia's Gevorg Tadevosyan 1-4.
Olzhas Syrlybay (130 kg), who retained a chance for bronze through the repechage, lost to China's Jiang Wenhao 0-2 and finished his performance at the tournament.
Iran took first place in the unofficial Greco-Roman wrestling medal standings, winning four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Azerbaijan finished second with two gold and one silver.
Belarus placed third with one gold and two bronze medals. Armenia and Bulgaria each won one gold and one bronze and shared fourth place.
Kazakhstan finished the competition with three bronze medals and shared 12th place with Georgia.
Also today, the women's tournament started. Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova and Nilufar Raimova will compete for bronze medals.
The World Wrestling Championships are being held in Astana at Barys Arena from October 24 to November 1, with the participation of almost 900 athletes from about 100 countries. Kazakhstan is hosting the adult world championship for the first time since 2019. Our team is represented by a full roster of 30 athletes.