With fatigue beginning to play a role and the tournament moving deeper into its program, the second day placed renewed emphasis on recovery, tactical discipline, and match management.
Midday Session: Qualification Rounds & Repechage (11:00–14:30)
Action resumed at 11:00, with qualification and repechage bouts spread across five Greco-Roman and five women’s weight categories. The condensed schedule once again required athletes to balance aggression with efficiency, knowing that finals awaited later the same day.
Greco-Roman Weight Classes
The Greco-Roman competition featured:
- 60 kg
- 67 kg
- 77 kg
- 87 kg
- 130 kg
These categories showcased a wide range of styles. The lighter divisions produced fast-paced exchanges with constant hand-fighting and transitions, while the middle weights emphasized positional control and par terre execution. In the heavier classes, patience and leverage defined outcomes, with wrestlers focusing on limiting errors and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Repechage rounds proved particularly demanding, as athletes who had suffered early losses fought to stay in medal contention. Several bouts were decided by narrow scorelines, reflecting the depth and parity of the field.
Women’s Wrestling Qualification Bouts
Women’s Wrestling action unfolded in the following categories:
- 53 kg
- 57 kg
- 62 kg
- 68 kg
- 76 kg
The women’s sessions were marked by aggressive shot attempts and tactical counters. Wrestlers looked to control center position early, often aiming to secure decisive leads to conserve energy for the evening finals. Repechage matches carried visible intensity, as competitors pushed through fatigue to earn another opportunity on the podium.
Evening Session: Finals & Medal Ceremonies (17:00–19:00)
The tournament shifted into its decisive phase from 17:00 to 19:00, as finals and medal ceremonies were held across all scheduled weight classes.
Greco-Roman Finals
Greco-Roman finals highlighted controlled, methodical wrestling. With athletes competing for medals after a demanding day, pacing and tactical awareness were critical. Many finals featured early positional battles followed by carefully chosen attacks, with defense and counter-wrestling playing a decisive role in preserving leads.
Women’s Wrestling Finals
Women’s Wrestling finals brought a mix of speed and strength, with several bouts featuring momentum swings as athletes adjusted strategies mid-match. The finals underscored the technical growth of the women’s field, with clean executions, effective counters, and disciplined mat awareness evident across weight categories.
Medal ceremonies followed each set of finals, recognizing podium finishers and marking the conclusion of another full day of competition.
A Demanding Second Day Sets the Tone
January 9 reinforced the Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Tournament’s reputation as a physically and mentally demanding international event. By staging qualifications, repechage, and finals within the same day, the tournament continued to reward wrestlers who combined technical precision with endurance and composure.
As the second competition day concluded, performances across both styles offered valuable insight into form and preparation early in the 2026 season. With medals decided and lessons learned on the mat, the tournament’s momentum carried forward, cementing its role as a key proving ground on the international wrestling calendar.