Malik struck first with a stepout on the activity clock, before adding another stepout and takedown to head into the break with a 4-0 lead. He kept the pressure on in the second period, extending the advantage with a takedown and stepout to make it 7-0. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bulgaru briefly responded with a takedown on the edge, but Malik\u2019s forward momentum proved unstoppable as he sealed the win with another stepout and takedown. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both wrestlers were cautioned for open-hand contact, but the Indian held firm to close out an impressive 11-3 victory. Malik will now face Magomed Ozdamirov (UWW) in the gold medal bout after the Russian-trained wrestler edged Kazakhstan\u2019s Nurdanat Aitanov 3-1 in the other semifinal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, Kazakhstan\u2019s Kamil Kurugliyev continued his resurgence by reaching the 92kg final. The former U17 world champion, who had previously finished fifth in 2023 and claimed bronze in 2024 at 97kg, dropped to 92kg this year and has already upgraded his medal. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a tense semifinal, he overcame Azerbaijan\u2019s returning bronze medalist Anar Jafarli 9-6, thanks largely to an early four-point throw. Kurugliyev will face Asian U20 champion Sherzod Poyonov (UZB), who advanced after pinning Gadzhimurad Gadzhibatyrov (UWW).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The United States also enjoyed a strong day, securing two finalists. At 65kg, Luke Stanich upset European U20 and U23 champion Amal Dzhandubaev (UWW) 3-1 with disciplined wrestling and a decisive second-period takedown. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a tense semifinal, he overcame Azerbaijan\u2019s returning bronze medalist Anar Jafarli 9-6, thanks largely to an early four-point throw. Kurugliyev will face Asian U20 champion Sherzod Poyonov (UZB), who advanced after pinning Gadzhimurad Gadzhibatyrov (UWW).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Henckel\u2019s final opponent will be Iran\u2019s Mahdi Yousefi, a returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion, who overcame Said Saidulov (UWW) 15-7 in a high-scoring bout.<\/p>\r\n\r\n