Rahman Amouzad's Comeback and India's 16-Medal Haul Highlight 2026 Ulaanbaatar Open

The 2026 Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series concluded on Sunday at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace in Mongolia, delivering high-stakes drama and breakout performances across men's freestyle, women's wrestling, and Greco-Roman disciplines. As the third stop on the United World Wrestling (UWW) calendar, the tournament attracted elite global talent looking to secure crucial ranking points ahead of the Senior World Championships and the upcoming Asian Games. The four-day event showcased the sport's shifting global power dynamics, highlighted by a historic comeback in the middleweight division and a dominant overall team performance by the Indian delegation.[1][2]

The defining moment of the tournament unfolded in the men's 65kg freestyle final, where Iranian world champion Rahman Amouzad faced off against Bulgaria's Shamil Mamedov. The highly anticipated bout was a rematch of their 2023 World Championships encounter, and it delivered an instant classic. Mamedov, a world medalist known for his explosive offense, came out of the gates with blistering speed. He secured early takedowns and executed a series of gut-wrenches to build what appeared to be an insurmountable 8-0 lead in the opening period.[1][4]

However, Amouzad showcased the trademark resilience and elite conditioning that has made him a fan favorite in Iran. Chipping away at the massive deficit, the Iranian star utilized punishing underhooks and relentless forward pressure to wear Mamedov down. Amouzad completely flipped the momentum in the second period, orchestrating a staggering comeback to win the gold medal with a final score of 17-10. The victory not only secured crucial ranking points but also reaffirmed Amouzad's status as the man to beat at 65kg heading into the fall.[1][4]

Beyond individual heroics, the Ulaanbaatar Open served as a showcase for India's formidable and rapidly expanding wrestling depth. The Indian contingent finished the four-day competition with a massive haul of 16 medals, including eight golds, across all three wrestling styles. This performance was particularly significant as the tournament served as a primary selection and preparation ground for the 2026 Asian Games. The mix of veteran leadership and emerging teenage talent highlighted the country's growing infrastructure and investment in the sport.[2][5][6]

On the final day of competition, India's Dinesh Dhankhar delivered a masterclass in the 125kg heavyweight division. The 25-year-old edged out Kazakhstan's U20 world champion Yedige Kassimbek 2-0 in a tense, tactical gold medal bout that required immense defensive discipline. Dhankhar's path to the top of the podium was grueling and impressive; he previously defeated Poland's World Championships bronze medalist Robert Baran 5-1 in the quarterfinals and secured an 11-0 technical superiority win over Timur Kotaev in the semifinals. The performance marked a significant career milestone for Dhankhar on the senior international stage.[2][5]

Deepak added another gold for India in the 61kg freestyle category, dominating Kazakhstan's Assyl Aitakyn 6-0 in the final. Deepak's run through the bracket was flawless, characterized by relentless forward pressure and an impenetrable defense that prevented his opponents from finding any scoring opportunities. He opened his campaign with a 6-0 victory in the quarterfinals before dispatching another Kazakh wrestler, Adilet Almukhamedov, 7-1 in the semifinals. His victory further cemented India's dominance in the lighter weight classes and added crucial points to the team's overall standings.[2][6]

India's success extended well beyond the men's freestyle events, showcasing a well-rounded program. In the women's brackets, teenager Kajal Dhochak captured gold in the 76kg division by defeating African champion Damola Ojo, while Manisha Bhanwala (57kg) and Neha Sangwan (59kg) also topped the podium in their respective weight classes. Earlier in the week, Greco-Roman specialists Sunil Kumar (87kg) and Nitesh Kumar (97kg) set the tone for the delegation by securing gold medals on the tournament's opening day. The combined efforts across all three styles underscored India's rising status as a comprehensive wrestling powerhouse.[2][5]

In the men's freestyle team standings, Russia claimed the top spot with 163 points, relying on a deep and experienced roster that consistently reached the medal rounds across multiple weight classes. India followed closely in second place with 152 points, a testament to their across-the-board success and multiple gold medalists. Kazakhstan took third with 137 points. Host nation Mongolia finished fourth with 119 points, while Iran rounded out the top five with 100 points, giving the local fans and international viewers plenty of compelling storylines to follow throughout the weekend.[3]

Mongolia's home crowd erupted during the 70kg freestyle bracket, where two-time Olympian and local hero Tulga Tumur Ochir captured gold. Tumur Ochir navigated a highly competitive field, utilizing his vast international experience to edge out challengers and secure crucial ranking points on home soil. His narrow 5-4 decision over American collegiate standout Cross Wasilewski was a testament to his tactical awareness in tight, low-scoring matches. Tumur Ochir's victory provided a signature moment for the host nation and highlighted the strength of Mongolian wrestling on the global stage.[3]

The United States was represented by collegiate stars CJ Composto (65kg) and Cross Wasilewski (70kg), who gained valuable international experience. Composto opened his tournament with a dominant 10-0 technical fall but was sent to the repechage by the eventual silver medalist, Mamedov. In the repechage, Composto engaged in a high-scoring shootout with India's Mohit Kumar, holding a late 10-9 lead before Kumar secured a pin. Wasilewski's narrow loss to Tumur Ochir demonstrated that the American athletes could compete closely with the world's best, even if they fell short of the podium.[3]

With the Ulaanbaatar Open now concluded, the international wrestling community turns its attention to the fourth and final Ranking Series event of the season, the Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial in Budapest. For athletes like Rahman Amouzad and the rising stars of the Indian national team, the results in Mongolia provide a massive boost of momentum and confidence. As they return to their respective training camps, these wrestlers will look to build on their successes and refine their techniques ahead of the ultimate test at the upcoming Senior World Championships.[1][4]