By Gary Anderson

Khetik Tsabolov was one of two Russian world champions crowned on the first day of action in Tashkent ©United World WrestlingKhetik Tsabolov and Abdulrashid Sadulaev ensured Russia emerged as the top nation on the opening day of the Wrestling World Championships in Tashkent, while freestyle world titles also went the way of Turkey and North Korea.

Tsabolov had too much firepower for Turkey's Yakup Gor in the 70 kilogram final cruising to a 10-0 win helped by an arm-and-leg throw for four points.

Bekzod Abdurakhmonov had the fans inside the Gymnastics Palace in the Uzbekistan capital on their feet as he claimed bronze against Zalimkhan Yusupov of Tajikistan, while Belarusian Ali Shabanau got the better of Canada's Cleopas Ncube in the other bronze medal contest.

Sadulaev secured Russia's second gold with by matching the 10-0 score of his compatriot Tsabolov in the 86kg decider.

Sadulaev caught last year's World Championship silver medallist Reineris Salas off guard with an early throw and never allowed his opponent to recover with tilts and a go-behind to finish the bout.

Turkey's Selim Yasar came through a close contest with Aslan Kakhidze of Kazakhstan to take bronze while the other podium place went to Iranian Mohammadhossein Askari Mohammadian with victory over Azerbaijan's Gamzat Osmanov.

Turkey's Taha Akgul (blue) got the better of Iran's Komil Ghasemi in a tight contest to take the 125kg gold medal at the World Championships in Tashkent ©United World WrestlingTurkey's Taha Akgul (blue) got the better of Iran's Komil Ghasemi in a tight contest to take the 125kg gold medal at the World Championships in Tashkent ©United World Wrestling



Taha Ahgul of Turkey prevailed in the closest final of the day in the 125kg category.

Akgul received two penalty points and worked a low-single attack for a 4-0 lead and then held on for a 4-3 win, as his Iranian opponent Komil Ghasemi fought back in the closing stages.

Tervel Ivaylov Dlagnev secured the United States' only medal of the day with victory over Alexei Shemarov of Belarus as Russia's Khadzhimurat Gatcalov secured a fall over Ukrainian rival Oleksandr Khotsianivskyi in the bronze medal matches.

North Korean Kyong Il Yang emerged triumphant from the battle of the former world champions as he secured a 5-3 over Georgian Vladimer Khinchegashvili in the 57kg category. 

Yang, winner of the 55kg title in 2009, trailed European champion Khinchegashvili by a point in the second round before executing a perfect front headlock to regain the lead and the bout ended with a force-out point for Yang.

Iran's Hassan Sabzali Rahimi got the better of 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion Yuki Takahashi of Japan, while Belarusian Uladzislau Andreyeu defeated Mongolia's Bekhbayar Erdenebat for the bronze medals.

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