Russia Beats USA 6–4 in PWL 9 Wrestling Dual
Russia takes the first five bouts
Russia defeated the United States 6–4 in a men’s freestyle dual at PWL 9 in Budapest on July 21, 2025. The teams met across ten weight classes. The event revived a U.S.–Russia dual meet tradition that had been inactive for more than six decades.
USA rallies in the second half
Several matchups in this dual differed from earlier announced lineups. At 65 kg, Russia’s Abasgadzhi Magomedov beat CJ Composto 13–2 by technical fall. At 74 kg, Magomad Dibirgadzhiev defeated Joseph Blaze 8–4. Russia won the first five bouts before the U.S. team took four of the next five.
Dean Hamiti pinned Mokhmad Nasirkhaev at 79 kg in 4:29. Marcus Coleman edged Amanula Rasulov 8–7, Michael Macchiavello beat Amanula Gadzhimagomedov 10–6, and Jay Aiello defeated Konstantin Pshenichnikov 8–1. Russia sealed the dual at 125 kg when Zelimkhan Khizriev won by 11–0 technical fall over Trent Hillger.
The result was decided by the ten individual bouts, with Russia’s five-match lead after the opening half proving decisive.
The official team-by-team score shows the United States won four matches after falling behind 5–0. That late run narrowed the margin but could not erase Russia’s early lead. The ten bouts were contested at senior men’s freestyle weights from 57 to 125 kg.
Related reporting and sources: Budapest · usawrestlingevents.com · flocollege.com · Wrestling · Combat Sports
