Two members of the current United States World Team took the mat on Friday to begin the Greco portion of the tournament and neither were able to reach the podium.
Day 1 for Greco-Roman at the 2026 Polyak Imre Memorial began at 10:30am local time from Budapest, Hungary (4:30am ET) and streamed live in the US on FLOWrestling.
Otto Black (67 kg, NYAC) did manage to record an impressive victory in his opener on Friday after prevailing via decision over Olympian (and fellow multi-time age-group World medalist) Valentin Petic (MDA) before falling in his next two bouts. At 77 kilograms, ’22 U17 World champ Joel Adams (Beaver Dam RTC) was defeated in his lone contest of the tournament by ’26 U23 World gold Danil Grigorev (RUS).
It was a solid and explosive classical Greco-Roman win for Black in his match-up with the ultra-experienced Petic. Period 1 saw Black ardently and successfully defend from bottom par terre (which was also something he did quite well last fall en-route to U23 World bronze); in the second frame, following a passive call on Petic, Black uncorked an acrobatic lift for four points, with the execution wind providing the difference in the match.
The quarterfinal round pitted Black against the U23 World champ from his ’26 bracket, Mohamed Abdelrehim (EGY), and it was Abdelherim who escaped with a narrow 2-1 nod. But the Egyptian made it to the final, which pulled Black into the repechage where he faced Tsuchkia Shimoyamada (AUS via JPN). A big sequence unfolded early with Shimoyamada utilizing a short drag to a body attack that yielded a takedown, and eventually four from a reverse pull-over. Shimoyamada would later add the two points required to end the match, as well as end Black’s quest for bronze.
Day 2 for Greco begins at 10:30am local time (4:30am ET) and will once again be streamed in the US on FLOWrestling. Only two weight categories are scheduled — 72 and 87 kg. At 72 for Team USA will be World Teamer Benji Peak (NYAC/Position), who is slated to begin in the qualification round versus Mishko Aleksandria of Georgia; at 87, ’24 U23 World bronze and current World Team member Beka Melelashvili (NYAC) faces Mohamed Elkasem Dyab (EGY) in the qualification round.
2026 Polyak Imre Memorial
July 17-19 — Budapest, HUN
DAY 1 TEAM USA RESULTS
67 kg: Otto Black (NYAC) — 10th
WON Valentin Petic (MDA) 5-1
LOSS Mohamed Abdelrehim (EGY) 2-1
LOSS Tsuchika Shimoyamada (AUS) 8-0, TF
77 kg: Joel Adams (Beaver Dam RTC) — 28th
LOSS Danil Grigorev (RUS) 8-0, TF
DAY 2 TEAM USA DRAWS
72 kg: Benji Peak (NYAC/Position)
vs. Mishko Aleksandria (EGY) — qualification round
87 kg: Beka Melelashvili (NYAC)
vs. Mohamed Elkasem Dyab (EGY) — qualification round
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