The "Muhamet Malo" tournament kicked off today in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Offsideplus.az reports that five members of the national freestyle wrestling team competed on the first day of the ranking tournament, with three of them reaching the podium.

Islam Bazarganov (57 kg): After defeating Niklas Stechele (GER), Liam Smith Croni (USA), and Darian Cruz (PUR), he reached the semifinals. Although he lost to Ramiz Gamzatov (RUS), Bazarganov secured the bronze medal by defeating India's Akshay Tanaji Dhere (9:2).

Rashid Babazade (65 kg): He advanced to the final after victories over Niko Megerle (GER), Mikyay Salim Naim (BUL), and Joshua Alexander Kramer (ECU). In a high-scoring semifinal, he defeated world champion Vitali Arujau (USA) 18:15. Babazade finished the tournament with a silver medal after losing to U23 World Champion Sujeet Sujeet (IND) in the final.

Arseniy Djioyev (86 kg): He pulled off impressive wins against world champion Akhmed Usmanov (RUS) and Vladimeri Gamkrelidze (GEO). Despite a narrow semifinal loss to Ibragim Kadiyev (RUS), Djioyev claimed the bronze medal by defeating the highly decorated Kyle Dake (USA) with a score of 4:1.

Kanan Heybatov (74 kg) and Turan Bayramov (74 kg) were eliminated in the 1/8 finals, losing to Orozbek Toktomambetov (KGZ) and Quincy Miles Monday (USA), respectively.