The sands of Singapore were flying from the start as the beach wrestlers wowed the vibrant crowd who were treated to some incredible athleticism, shows of strength and resilience from both veterans and a large number of debutants. The increasing popularity of the Beach Wrestling World Series saw athletes come from all corners of the globe with Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, Palau, Singapore, South Africa, Senegal and Thailand all taking part for the first time.

The second leg of the World Series is also the last chance for the wrestlers to earn ranking points for the ANOC World Beach Games, so every match has a little more meaning as the superstars look to secure their place in Bali.

With 12 new nations competing and bringing their take of Beach Wrestling to the world stage there were several new faces who impressed on the opening day. Samnang DIT (CAM 50kg) picked up two wins from her opening two bouts, including a 3-2 win over the seasoned Justine VIGOUROUX from France. Xiaomin XIE (CHN) also won her two matches, and it will be interesting to see how both fare when they come up against the Princess of Power Stefania PRICEPUTU (ROU) who herself went 2-0 for the day after she defeated Maia CABRERA (ARG), the silver medallist from the competition in Argentina. Emine CATALOGLU (TUR), World Silver medallist got her second leg off to a great start as she also picked up two opening wins.

Having missed out completely on the first leg in Buenos Aires, team Ukraine made a welcome return here in Singapore. Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO and Daria MEDVETSKA (60kg) didn’t look like their absence had affected their form with both winning their first two matches. Medvestska won her second bout in just 51 seconds. Elena IONESCU (ROU) impressed with an 11-second win over Anke RUELENS (BEL) on her way to two wins from two matches, as did Chinese debutant Yue ZHANG, who defeated home sand star Danielle LIM (SGP) and Anke Ruelens.

The women’s 70kg champion Adina IRIMA (ROU) had a slow start with defeat in her opening match to Ukrainian Olena NIKITINSKA after only 36 seconds, but she dusted herself down to hand out a quick defeat of her own in the second bout where she beat Yifeng LU (CHN) in 33 seconds. Nikitinska couldn’t capitalise fully on her opening win as she lost out to compatriot Oksana HERHEL who has yet to drop a point in two bouts.

Success on home soil came in the women's +70kg where Melissa YEE defeated another debutant, Binbin XIANG (CHN), in just 41 seconds in her first bout; the harsh reality of the Series, though, saw her lose the second battle in 44 seconds to the experienced Stefania ZACHEILA (GRE). Romania’s current world champion Cataline AXENTE showed why she’s the one to beat in the division with two wins, defeating Angelique GONZALEZ from France, just squeezing out American Isabeau Marie SHALACK 1-0. Shalack also impressed in her opener as she defeated Australian debutant Naomi Rachel DE BRUINE in just over a minute.

In the men's 70kg class, world champion Levan KELEKHSASHVILI was looking to get back on track after only taking silver in Buenos Aires and the golden Georgian did just that as he secured two wins on day one. HONG YEOW LOU (SGP) had the home fans on their feet as he tasted a double victory on his debut, defeating Chheang CHHOEUN (CAM) and Callan HENRY (AUS). A double victory was also achieved on the first day for China's Shijian ZHOU, who defeated Mongolian Battulga RAASH and Frenchman Quentin STICKER.

Senegalese grappler Ngor NIAKHE took only 9 seconds to announce his arrival on the world stage in the men’s 80kg as he drove Donald MABUSELA (RSA) into the sand with a show of pure power and technique in a stunning debut bout. However, in the second fight, which he lost to the reigning champion Nika KENTCHADZE, he could not win it all.

The Georgian used all his experience and technique to take two wins from his openers. American Tyler LOETHEN continued to impress with two wins as did Hirotake ABE (JPN); also, there was a winning comeback for 2021 champion Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) who returned to the sandy circle after a year out and won both of his bouts.

In the men’s 90kg the top three from the first leg in Buenos Aires, Dato PIRUZASHVILI (GEO), Ibrahaim YUSUBOV (AZE) and Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) all picked up two opening wins alongside Senegalese newcomer Siny SEMBENE who, after winning his opening bout took only 20 seconds to pick up his second win over Mathis Damien Leon MAYRAND (FRA). Mahmut OZKAYA (TUR) lost his opener to Piruzashvili but showed good resilience to bounce back with a 40 second win over Peerawat AUNTHIN (THA) to give himself a chance of making the knockout stages.

The Super Senegalese had more reason to cheer in the men’s +90kg as Modou FAYE made a big impression. He took only 28 seconds to win his opener as he blew Mongolia’s Baldansuren ERDENE away and then picked up a win over Richard VEGH. The 23-year-old Hungarian had beaten reigning champion Fatih YASARLI (TUR) in his first bout of the leg. Georgia’s Mamuka KORDZAIA picked up a tight win (1-0) against big gun Oyan NAZARIANI. Both men hinted they will be tough to beat in their second matches with Kordzaia beating Japan’s Masayuki AMANO and Nazariani defeating Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB). Yasarli bounced back from his defeat to Faye to keep his hopes of gold alive as 21-year-old Erdene was given no quarter in a 3-0 win for the champion.

It's been a stunning opening day in Singapore with the scene set up nicely for tomorrow’s finals day. It’s all to wrestle for. Will a newcomer take home the gold or will the experience show in the end and the cream rise to the top? Find out by tuning in to the second day of Singapore where the first Kings and Queens of Asian sand will be coronated. Watch all the action live on Youtube.