The 2026 Ulaanbaatar Open Wrestling Ranking Series got underway in Mongolia on Thursday with an action-packed opening day of Greco-Roman wrestling, featuring dominant performances, breakthrough victories, and a major upset that stole the spotlight.
Iran, India, and Bulgaria emerged as the most successful nations on the first day, each collecting two gold medals across the seven weight categories contested. The tournament, the third stop of the United World Wrestling Ranking Series this season, has attracted some of the world’s leading wrestlers as they chase crucial ranking points ahead of the World Championships.
The headline moment came in the men’s 67kg category where China’s Xinxin Jin produced a sensational performance to defeat Turkey’s experienced Murat Firat and claim the gold medal. Firat entered the competition as one of the favourites, but Jin’s determined display earned China a memorable title and one of its biggest Greco-Roman victories of the season.
Iran once again demonstrated why it remains one of the strongest Greco-Roman nations in the world. In the 55kg division, Payam Ahmadi dominated every opponent in a round-robin competition. The Iranian wrestler secured four technical superiority victories, defeating India’s Lalit, Mongolia’s Davaabandi Munkh Erdene, Mongolia’s Sumiyabazar Munkhzaya, and Turkey’s Emin Cakir without conceding a point on his way to gold.
Iran’s second gold came in the 72kg class through Danial Sohrabi. After cruising through the early rounds with commanding victories, Sohrabi defeated compatriot Mohammad Javad Rezaei 8-5 in an all-Iranian final. The triumph further strengthened Iran’s impressive start to the competition and highlighted the country’s depth in Greco-Roman wrestling.
India also enjoyed a productive opening day, securing two gold medals and continuing its recent improvement in Greco-Roman wrestling on the international circuit. The Indian contingent displayed consistency across multiple weight categories, adding to the country’s growing reputation in a discipline traditionally dominated by European and Central Asian nations.
Bulgaria matched India’s gold-medal tally with two titles of its own, underlining the country’s strength and technical excellence in Greco-Roman competition.
With several Olympic and World Championship contenders in action, the opening day provided a glimpse of the fierce battles expected throughout the four-day tournament. The remaining days will feature men’s freestyle and women’s wrestling competitions as athletes continue their quest for valuable ranking points and international success.
Key Highlights
• Iran won two Greco-Roman gold medals on Day 1.
• India secured two gold medals to continue its strong season.
• Bulgaria also finished with two gold medals.
• China’s Xinxin Jin upset Turkey’s Murat Firat to win the 67kg title.
• Danial Sohrabi defeated Mohammad Javad Rezaei 8-5 in the 72kg final.
• Payam Ahmadi claimed 55kg gold after four dominant victories.
• The Ulaanbaatar Open is the third Ranking Series event of the 2026 season.
Discussion about this post