It's been a rollercoaster ride filled with excitement so far at the World Championships. We've seen the biggest and baddest Greco monsters go head-to-head and keep the crowd on the edge of their seats from start to finish. So check out our top five moments from the first two days of World's.



5. Soryan Can't Continue His Reign
Hamid Soryan has won every World/Olympic Championship that he has entered back to 2008. That reign of terror is over for the rest of the field at 59kg. Soryan missed a few championships during those years, but when he competed he didn't lose. That reign came to a stunning end as he was disqualified in the quarterfinals for brutality following multiple head butts. To follow up the bizarre end to his reign Soryan lost a dramatic repechage match in the waning moments. It was a repechage match that shouldn't have happened. Soryan should have been done for the tournament with his disqualification. Fortunately the oversight didn't change any outcomes on the backside.


4. Chunayev Dominates
Rasul Chunayev (AZE) came into the championships ranked number one in the World by UWW. He showed the fans around the World why he is deserving of that ranking at 71kg. Chunayev crushed the field on his way to the finals where he controlled the match until giving up a late four-point throw from forced par terre. The amazing run is even more impressive if you watch his slow start in the opening round. He trailed 1-0 fairly late in the match before getting on top in a forced par terre situation. He worked his turns and never looked back. He outscored his opponents 41-5 en route to the championship. 




3. Who is This Kid?
Ismael Borrero Molina (CUB) is a name you need to remember. Not many knew his name as he made his way through the bracket today at 59kg. He had a good World tournament last year when he placed fifth. That was two places higher than he finished at the Pan Am Championships in July when he took seventh place. He also placed behind two countrymen at the Granma Cup in February. The wrestling Borrero Molina did spoke for itself as he dominated opponents, won close matches, and showed the poise to come from behind. His day on the mat really had it all. Will this twenty-three year old be a flash in the pan? Or did we just see his grand entry to stardom in the world of Greco-Roman wrestling?




2. Lopez Upset Again
Riza Kayaalp has an amazing resume. Two World titles now headline that resume, and that would normally be a noteworthy story. Unfortunately, the guy who lost the match commands the attention here at 130kg. Mijain Lopez has won five World Titles and two Olympic Gold Medals. He is nearly impossible to score on, but sometimes has trouble finding offense of his own. With all his titles, most fans remember he also has lost in the World Finals three times. The fans remember that because they like to talk about his losses more than his victories. This final will just be another talking point for the fans.


1. Respect the Beard
Robby Smith didn't win a medal, but he won the admiration of all in attendance and the respect of competitors around the World. Smith wrestled tough matches on the championship side of the bracket. However, not many will remember any of those bouts in the near future. The same can't be said about his bronze medal match. Smith came out firing from all angles against Russia's Bilyal Makhov. The powerful Russian built a 7-0 lead before Smith got on the board with a correct throw at the end of the first period. Smith's confidence grew throughout the second period as he tossed the giant Russian around the mat. His comeback was held off by Makhov, who was barely able to stand up after fighting off Smith's furious pace. The scoreboard read 10-8 in Makhov's favor at the end of the bout, but you never would have known had you seen the mighty Russian exit the mat.