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Valencia Competes at Dan Kolov – Nikola Petrov International on Friday; Draws Announced

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by David Gerhart, USA Wrestling

Zahid Valencia competes at 2025 Senior World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia

Zahid Valencia competes at 2025 Senior World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria – 2025 World champion Zahid Valencia is the lone entrant for the U.S. at the 63rd annual Dan Kolov – Nikola Petrov International. In the 86 kg bracket, Valencia competes on Friday at the “Kolodruma” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.


Two-time World medalist Valencia opens against Austria’s Simon Marchl. Marchl has three international medals along with a pair of World Championships appearances. Marchl finished 17th at last year’s Worlds.


The winner between Valencia and Marchl moves into the quarterfinals against Switzerland’s Umar Mavlaev. Mavlaev finished 17th at the 2025 U23 World Championships.


Friday’s competition begins at 10:30 a.m. local time/4:30 a.m. ET. Repechage and medal matches are slated to start at 5 p.m. local time/11 a.m. ET.


A live stream is currently scheduled to be broadcast on the Bulgarian Wrestling Live YouTube Channel.


Results will be posted to bul-wrestling.org.


2026 Dan Kolov – Nikola Petrov International

At Plovdiv, Bulgaria, March 26-28


Quick Links


Event Schedule

Thursday, March 26
MFS 61-70-79-92 kg, GR 55-63-72-82 kg, WFS 55-59-65-72 kg

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds

 5 p.m. – Repechage, Medal Matches

Friday, March 27
MFS 57-65-74-86 kg, GR 77-87-97-130 kg, WFS 57-62-68-76 kg

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds

 5 p.m. – Repechage, Medal Matches

Saturday, March 28
MFS 97-125 kg, GR 60-67 kg, WFS 50-53 kg

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds

 5 p.m. – Repechage, Medal Matches

*All times listed local to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, which is located six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time.

U.S. Men’s Freestyle Draws

86 kg – Zahid Valencia (Stillwater, Okla./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC)

VS Simon Marchl (Austria)