What a wild morning session. Today's brackets were loaded as all four weights contested were Olympic weights. To add more fuel to the first session, the draws were such that pivotal matchups were staged early and often.

On a disappointing note, two of the biggest talking points were officiating calls, and both were late in bouts. Haji Aliyev (AZE) looked to have exposed Gadshimurad Rashidov (RUS) but it was ruled a stepout for Rashidov. At 57kg, Takahashi was awarded a pushout on Daton Fix, which was challenged. None of the multiple camera angles showed Daton's foot all the way out as it was on the line per every view. But the call was upheld and Takahashi won 4-2.

Zain lost a 10-9 shootout where Tobier (CUB) countered several deep leg attacks. Tobier later lost bouncing Zain. 

Kayla Miracle lost a heartbreaker (6-6). And the 2017 World silver (to Helen), Amri Marwa (TUN) lost in the pigtails.

Bracket notes from Session I and U.S. results are below.

You can get all the goods for Session II here, including match notes for semi's, repchage, and today's finals.

Be on the lookout for tomorrow's draws for James Green, Jordan Burroughs, J'den Cox, and Nick Gwiazdowski which will be posted as soon as possible.

How The Brackets Played Out

57 KG MFS - Bracket Link

Prelims

Multiple time World medalist Yuki Takahashi (JPN) had an interesting match with Fafe (GBS), who led at one point early. Daton teched over Macedonia and his leg attacks looked great. 

Amiraslanov, who beat returning champ Uguev at Euro's, has him on the ropes again. Two takedowns in the final minute and Uguev wins it 4-3.

It took a while — nearly four hours into the session — but now we're cooking with the R16 bouts. Daton-Takahashi and Erdenebat-Uguev going at the same time. Both quiet in the first. 1-0 Takahashi and Uguev at the break.

Daton wins an exchange in what will be the only takedown of the bout. But he gets put on the clock a second time. 2-2 late. Takahashi works Daton to the edge and they rule a step out. 3-2 Takahashi with 0:16 left. Daton challenges and somehow loses it. Terrible call. Clearly on the line. 4-2, that's the final.

Uguev won 5-2 over Erdenebat. It's tough to expect Takahashi to beat Uguev in the semis. 

Quarters

Atli and Micic in a tight one into the second. Sanayev rolled over Columbia. Ravi (IND), who knocked off Harytunan (ARM) last round is looking SHARP again. 4-1 late vs. Takahashi. Uguev (RUS) just 2-0 late vs. Atri (IRI).

2-0 is the final for Uguev. Man, he's just squeaking by.

With a 3-3 criteria lead, Atli isn't done. Beautiful double to make it 5-3 over Micic. Micic standing single late! Can only get a step out and drops it 5-4. 

Tonight's Semifinal Matchups

Atli (TUR) vs. Sanayev (KAZ)

Ravi (IND) vs. Uguev (RUS)

65 KG MFS - Bracket Link

Prelims

Zain-Tobier is the first big match to take the mats for the day. Tobier (CUB) struck first with a takedown from the tie and then hit two guts. A couple of takedowns from Zain made it 6-4 but Tobier gained exposures in key situations off Zain's attacks and he won a 10-9 thriller. 

World champ Aliyev (AZE) vs. World silver Rashidov (RUS)...that's Round 1. Haji had a matrix type counter with Rashidov in rear standing. 2-1. Rashidov scores while on the clock to go up 3-2. Haji with short time gets rear standing. Rashidov runs for the boundary and does something funky but clearly exposes. It's ruled and confirmed 2 for Haji. Rashidov challenges and the rule Haji stepped out...while on the attack. Most of Earth disagrees with that call. What is glaring is how different perspective can be in real time vs video replay. It's the last exchange below.

Rashidov (RUS) gets the #WrestleNurSultan opening-round win over Aliyev (AZE) in the rematch of the 2017 world finals ??? . . pic.twitter.com/Xw6kKJUDO4

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) September 19, 2019

Muszakajev (HUN) beat former superfreak Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO) and it wasn't really close. 5-1 with only one real threat from Khinche. 

Rashidov trailed at the break (3-1) in his next match vs. A. Hussen (EGY). 5-3 final for Rashidov. 

Atri (IRI) and Andreev (BLR) had a very boring bout. 

Uguev (RUS) vs. Amiraslanov (AZE)! Let's Go! Uguev is returning champ but Amiraslanov beat him at Euros. They meet first round. Amiraslanov 1-0 at the break. Then 3-0. All pushouts. Uguev with double unders. Threatens. But just two. 3-2. Again with unders. TD with and neutral w/ :16. Uguev moves on.

Habat trailed Bajrang 3-0 at the break.The entire second period went scoreless. 

Here we go. Now in the Round of 16, two returning finalists in Rashidov (RUS) who was silver at 61 and the 65 champ Otoguro (JPN). Boring first. 1-0 Rashidov at the break. Not a lot of action in the second, especially considering the scoring machine that Otoguro was last year. Rashidov picked his spots. 8-1 final.

Tobier lost to Ali (BRN) eliminating Zain. 

Quarters

Rashidov ended Ali's (BRN) unexpected run, 9-0. Niyazbekov was up by two late and stayed on the attack. 6-2 and the crowd roared.

Tonight's Semifinal Matchups

Niyazbekov vs. Bajrang (IND)

Rashidov (RUS) vs. Muszukajev (HUN)

62 KG WFS - Bracket Link

Prelims

Huge upset in the pigtail where 2017 World runner-up (to Helen) Marwa Amri (TUN) lost to Jong-Sim Rim (PRK).

Incze (ROU) edged Gambarova (AZE) in a battle of two of Europe's best. Frannsson (SWE) beat Tosun (TUR). 

Kayla had a 5-2 second period but a challenge changed it to 4-4. She fell to Rim (PRK), 6-6.

Quarters

The big one here is in the 3rd quarter with Tkach (UKR) and Tynybekova (KGZ). Adn it deliver. 7-6 back-and-forth late. Desperation shot from space and Tynebekova is on a roll!

Tonight's Semifinal Matchups

Yusein (BUL) vs. Sastin (HUN)

Tynebekova (KGZ) vs. Rim (PRK)

68 KG WFS - Bracket Link

Prelims

Battsettseg (MGL) dominated (6-0) for Bronze medalist Grigorjeva (LAT). Dosho (JPN) lead Hanzilickova (CZE) just 1-0 at the break. She rolled in the second half for a tech. 

Mensah handled returning fifth-placer Oborududu (NGR) with relative ease. Canada's Danielle Lappage looked good in a win over two-time world medalist Feng Zhou (CHN)

Frannsson (SWE)-Larrouque (FRA) in one of my favorite early round matches. No action early though. 1-0 Frannsson at the break. Wow. and she takes out the returning finalist, 3-1.

Quarters

The big one here is our returning bronze Mensah vs Sara Dosho (JPN) who hasn't lost a match since 2016. Boom! Low single for Mensah off the jump. Counters for another 2 and it's a 4-0 lead into the break. 9-1 final! Mensahhhh! She made a legend look average!

Big win for Mensah (USA) over Dosho (JPN) in the Quarter Finals ??⚡#uww #wrestling #womenswrestling pic.twitter.com/tavdhqr6QZ

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) September 19, 2019

Cherkasova (UKR) vs. Lappage was a dandy, Lots of lead changes and down to the wire. 8-7 Cherkasova.

At. The. Buzzer. Frannsson beats Battsettseg.

Tonight's Semifinal Matchups

Cherkasova (UKR) vs. Frannsson (SWE)

Schell (GER) vs. Mensah (USA)

USA Results

57 KG - Daton Fix

Prelims - tf. V. Egorov, 11-1

Prelims - lost to Takahashi (JPN), 4-2

65 KG - Zain Retherford

Prelims - loss to Tobier (CUB), 10-9

62 KG - Kayla Miracle

Prelims - def. Esenbaeva (UZB), 11-4

Prelims - tf. Nunes (BRA), 15-4

Prelims - loss to Rim (PRK), 6-6

68 KG - Tamyra Mensah

Prelims - tf. M. Montague (NZL), 10-0

Prelims - def. Oborududu (NGR), 6-1

Prelims - def. Dosho (JPN (10-1)

Expatriates

57 KG - Stevan Micic - Representing Serbia

Prelims - tf. Ansari (MAR), 14-3

Prelims - def. D. Cappellan (CAN), 10-2

Quarters - lost to Suleyman Atli (TUR), 5-3

65 KG - Malik Amine - Representing San Marino

Prelims - def. Mbali (GBS), 14-11

Prelims - def. B. Rameirez (MEX), 13-6

Prelims - loss to Muszakajev (HUN), 8-0

65 KG - David Habat  - Representing Slovenia

Prelims - def. Vejseli (MKD), 9-1

Prelims - loss to Bajrang (IND), 3-0