The first big cheer of the day came when Morocco’s Sabah KANEB stunned the crowd into life in the women’s 50kg category. Trailing 2-1 against tournament favourite Alevtyna LIASHENKO (UKR), Kaneb pulled off a brilliant 3-point move to snatch victory in front of her home fans. Liashenko had earlier opened with a win over Claudia Soledad CABRERA (ARG).

Ukraine showed their strength in the women’s 60kg with both Sofiia KUSHNIR and Oksana MOSKALOVA taking two wins each. Moskalova delivered one of the day’s most dramatic finishes, pulling off a huge throw with just 2.5 seconds left to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 win against Namibia’s Kavelishimwe Ester ABRAHAM. Earlier she had already beaten reigning champ Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO. Kravchenko bounced back with a win of her own against Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR).

There were also two wins from two in the women’s 70kg for Dimitra ANDROUTSOU (GRE) and Olena NIKITINSKA (UKR). Androutsou beat Sara TRBULIN (SLO) and Morocco’s Saadia ET TAMMAR, while Nikitinska got the better of USA’s Olivia Haven PIZANO and Kenya’s Faith Nanjala WAMALWA.

In the women’s +70kg, Croatia gold medallist Iryna PASICHNYK (UKR) and reigning champion Eliana BOMMARITO (USA) both impressed. Bommarito needed just 59 seconds to dispatch Greece’s Stefania ZACHEILA, then added a 3-point finish against Amy YOUIN (CIV). Pasichnyk beat compatriot Liudmyla PAVLOVETS TYCHYNA 3-0 before finishing Hafsa ECH CHABKI (MAR) in just 22 seconds.

Iran’s Aliakbar Mohammad Bagher ZAROUDI, fresh from gold in Croatia, returned with intent in the men’s 70kg, opening his campaign with wins over Ivan SEMENOV (UKR) and Gus Howard JOHNSON (USA). There were also perfect starts for Quentin STICKER (FRA), Konstantin TOPSHINOEV, and Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO).

Silver medallist in Poreč, Ali Mohammad GHOLAMI (IRI) looks strong for the knockout stages of the men’s 80kg after beating both Pavel SHISHLAKOV and 2024 bronze medallist Christos CHRISTOFORIDIS (GRE). Vusal ALIYEV (AZE) also impressed, winning three bouts in total after coming through a prelim knockout.

In the men’s 90kg, champion Ibrahim YUSUBOV (AZE) showed once again why he’s one of the most consistent names in the sport, ending the day unbeaten. He’s joined in the 2-0 club by Oleksii YAKOVCHUK (UKR), Dato PIRUZASHVILI (GEO) and Jabari IRONS (USA).

The moment of the day came in the men’s +90kg as Morocco’s own Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU pulled off the impossible with a stunning hip throw on 2022 Sumo World Championship bronze medallist Oleksandr VERESIUK (UKR). The sand shook as the underdog briefly led 2-1, but Veresiuk’s power told in the closing seconds as he fought back to win 4-2. He had earlier edged past USA’s Kyle FERRITER 1-0. Meanwhile, Seyedamirreza SAHRAEIMAHALI (IRI) bagged two wins, including a big one over reigning champion Mamuka KORDZAIA (GEO).

It was an amazing opening day on African sands, and everything is still to fight for tomorrow when for the first time ever we will crown the Kings and Queens of Africa. If you can’t join us beachside, the Beach Wrestling World Series YouTube has you covered with live streaming, while Instagram will keep you updated on the go. We can’t wait to see who takes the top step tomorrow