Boldbaatar Wins Mongolia's First U17 World Gold
Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 18:23 By Vinay Siwach
BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 30) -- Mongolia crowned its first U17 women's world champion, Uzbekistan claimed its second, the United States secured two gold medals, and Saika UCHIDA (JPN) emerged as another rising star as five titles were decided on the fourth day of the U17 World Championships in Baku.
Ariunzul BOLDBAATAR (MGL) made history by becoming Mongolia's first U17 world champion in Women's Wrestling after defeating Aisha ABDIMALIK (KAZ) 4-0 in the 65kg final.
The two had previously met at the U17 Asian Championships, where Boldbaatar cruised to an 11-2 victory. Neither wrestler had a lengthy international resume heading into Baku, but both advanced to the final, with Boldbaatar already guaranteeing Mongolia its best-ever finish in the event.
Boldbaatar opened the final with a stepout and added a passivity point before capitalizing during a scramble to score two exposure points for a 4-0 lead, which she held until the final whistle.
Boldbaatar's historic title run featured two victories by fall and two wins on points.
Mukhlisa MASHARIPOVA (UZB) scores a takedown on Finja STRAUCH (UZB) during the 43kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)
Uzbekistan also celebrated another milestone as Mukhlisa MASHARIPOVA (UZB) became the country's second U17 women's world champion with a 4-1 victory over Finja STRAUCH (GER) in the 43kg final.
The Uzbekistan wrestler scored two takedowns to build her lead and then successfully defended against Strauch, who struggled to create scoring opportunities. Although Masharipova conceded an activity-clock point in the second period, Strauch never looked to threaten.
Masharipova follows Shohista SHONAZAROVA (UZB), who became Uzbekistan's first U17 women's world champion by winning the 40kg title in Athens last year.
Epenesa ELISON (USA) waits for the fall to be confirmed in the 57kg final against Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)
U.S. Wins Two Golds
Epenesa ELISON (USA) went one step further after settling for silver at 53kg last year, capturing the 57kg world title with a dominant performance in Baku.
Elison defeated Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND) by fall in the final after racing to a 6-0 lead, capping an impressive campaign in which she won all five of her bouts in commanding fashion.
At 73kg, Kaili MANUEL (USA) claimed the gold medal with an 8-1 victory over U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR).
Manuel controlled the match from start to finish, scoring five stepouts, forcing Petriv onto the activity clock for another point, and adding a takedown to complete the convincing victory.
The bronze medals at 73kg went to Aisha WILLIAMS (PAN) and U17 Asian champion GARIMA (IND). Williams made history by becoming the first Panama wrestler to win a world medal after defeating Bianka BARANY (HUN) by fall.
At 49kg, Saika UCHIDA (JPN) showcased her immense potential by winning the world title in dominant fashion. The younger sister of Asian champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) overwhelmed Olena KOLUBAI (UKR) in the final, using a series of gut wrenches to secure a 12-2 technical superiority victory.
RESULTS
43kg
GOLD: Mukhlisa MASHARIPOVA (UZB) df. Finja STRAUCH (GER), 4-1
BRONZE: Sera FURUICHI (JPN) df. Maya NAICKER (CAN), 10-10
BRONZE: Daria MASLENNIKOVA (RUS) df. Tola RUDNIK (POL), 10-0
49kg
GOLD: Saika UCHIDA (JPN) df. Olena KOLUBAI (UKR), 12-2
BRONZE: Kamna BABAL (IND) df. Irina TSYDEEVA (RUS), 3-2
BRONZE: Isla Belle SILVA (USA) df. Ayanat MEINAMBAY (KAZ), 6-3
57kg
GOLD: Epenesa ELISON (USA) df. Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND), via fall (6-0)
BRONZE: Rion SUZUKI (JPN) df. Gurleen DHILLON (CAN), 10-0
BRONZE: Mariia POLTORAK (UKR) df. Su SOYALP (TUR), 4-2
65kg
GOLD: Ariunzul BOLDBAATAR (MGL) df. Aisha ABDIMALIK (KAZ), 4-0
BRONZE: Margarita LISITA (MDA) df. Vasiliki KARAVANOU (GRE), 5-0
BRONZE: Palina BRAHINETS (BLR) df. Iryna BUKHTINA (UKR), 11-0
73kg
GOLD: Kaili MANUEL (USA) df. Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), 8-1
BRONZE: Aisha WILLIAMS (PAN) df. Bianka BARANY (HUN), via fall
BRONZE: GARIMA (IND) df. Paula BENAIXA (ESP), 10-0
Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will be wrestling at 50kg for the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)
World and Olympic champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)
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