Action in Rio de Janeiro began today ©UWW

Two-time world champion Muhammad Inam of Pakistan progressed to the quarter-finals of the men's 90 kilograms category on the opening day of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Beach Wrestling World Series in Rio de Janeiro.

Inam beat Turkey's Murat Ozkan 3-0 in his opening bout before he edged out Kanan Aliyev of Azerbaijan 1-0.

He will go up against Wanderson Messias Da Silva Lima of Brazil for a place in the semi-finals.

"I'm feeling very good in my matches,” said Inam. 

“Tonight, I will watch videos and prepare strategies for tomorrow’s opponents, especially the Georgian. 

"I will prepare techniques to try to beat him, because he is amazing.”

Olympic bronze medallist Dato Marsigashvili of Georgia, winner of the recent World Series in Chaves, is also through after he beat Brazil's Andre Luis Ramos Pinto 5-0.

Qualification points for this year's World Beach Games in San Diego are on offer at the event, as well as the CHF1,000 (£759/$988/€879) prize money for the gold medallists.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.