This is the third time that Poreč has hosted the event, and the fourth time that Croatia has done so overall. The Adriatic coast once again provided the backdrop for a full day of international beach wrestling action, with competitors battling for valuable ranking points and places in Sunday's medal matches.

The women's divisions produced several standout storylines on the opening day of the competition.

Ana Maria Rotaru of Romania continued her strong form, having claimed silver in Da Nang earlier this month. She recorded victories over Argentina's Claudia Cabrera and Serbia's Andela Vasiljevic to move into a strong position ahead of the final day. Ukrainian wrestlers Diana Rysova and Viktoriia Slobodeniuk also remain in contention in the 50 kg category.

The women's 60 kg division is set to be one of the most competitive categories once again. World champion Anastasiya Kravchenko began her campaign with a victory over Germany's Viviane Herda, but then suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Côte d'Ivoire's Nogona Bakayoko. Bakayoko finished day one unbeaten, at the top of Group A.

In Group B, Da Nang gold medallist Oksana Moskalova maintained her strong form, winning both of her matches. Fellow Ukrainian Sofiia Kushnir recovered from an opening defeat to secure an important victory over Serbia's Jana Petrovic, and remains in contention heading into the final day.

The women's 70 kg category was also highly competitive. Anna Karbovska moved to the top of Group A after defeating Da Nang Top Technique winner Olena Nikitinska in one of the standout matches of the opening day. Nikitinska responded with a fall victory over fellow Ukrainian Halyna Oleksiivska, also remaining in contention for Sunday's final rounds. In Group B, Serbia's Masa Perović leads the standings after defeating Hungary's Viktória Félho, who opened her campaign with a victory over Slovenia's Sara Trbulin.

The biggest statement of the day came in the women's +70 kg category. Three-time Beach Wrestling World Champion Eliana Bommarito began her bid for victory in dominant fashion, achieving back-to-back falls against Greece's Stefania Zacheila and her compatriot Sadie Evans. Ukraine's Daria Konstantynova also had an unbeaten start, and remains in a strong position heading into Sunday's decisive matches.

Several familiar names from the opening stop in Vietnam continued their good form in the men's divisions.

In the 70 kg category, Da Nang gold medallist Oleksii Boruta topped Group B, defeating Frenchman Quentin Sticker and Germany's Valentin Seimetz. In Group A, Georgia's Levan Kelekhsashvili led the way after defeating both Ivan Semenov and his fellow countryman Davit Partenadze, setting up a potential rematch between two of the division's leading contenders.

In the men's 80 kg category, Luka Chkhitunidze maintained his winning streak from Da Nang in Croatia. The Georgian secured victories over his compatriot, Diego Makharadze, and Azerbaijan's Sahib Dadashov, finishing the day at the top of Group B.

Azerbaijan's Vusal Aliyev also impressed, topping Group A ahead of Greece's Christos Christoforidis and the USA's Keenan Graef.

The 90 kg division once again delivered some of the most competitive action of the day. Oleksii Yakovchuk finished Saturday at the top of Group A after defeating Iuza Tsertsvadze and Tornike Tulashvili of Georgia. Having won a gold medal in Vietnam, Ashraf Ashirov remained unbeaten in Group B. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Vladyslav Zenchenko won Group C, ahead of Greece's Georgios Tsaknakis and Turkey's Omer Ozyildirim.

In the heavyweight division, Vazha Daiauri, the Ukrainian gold medallist and Top Technique winner from Vietnam, arrived in Croatia with momentum following his success in Da Nang. He recorded victories over Oleksandr Veresiuk and Croatia's Antonio Radicevic to top Group B, while Georgia's Mamuka Kordzaia led Group A following wins against Fatih Yasarli (TUR) and Mykola Kuchmii (UKR). This keeps alive the prospect of another showdown between two of the sport's premier heavyweights.

With ranking points, medals and places in Sunday's finals still up for grabs, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the Beach Wrestling World Series in Poreč.

Fans unable to attend can follow all of Sunday's finals, results and highlights on the official Beach Wrestling World Series social media channels.