Fernandez Wins Rare Third U17 World Gold, U.S. Team Title

Friday, July 31, 2026 - 16:55 By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 31) -- Masako FURUICHI (JPN) in 2013, Kika KAGATA (JPN) in 2014, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in 2016, Honoka NAKAI (JPN) in 2019 and now Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) in 2026.

Fernandez, 17, on Friday joined the list of a handful of wrestlers who have won three U17 world gold medals by claiming the 69kg gold in Baku, the first non-Japanese wrestler to achieve the feat. No male wrestler has won three U17 world titles ever.

The U.S. prodigy won gold medals in 2024 and 2025 at 61kg and jumped to 69kg for 2026. The change in weight class had no bearing on her performance as she secured four pins in four bouts, including the final.

Facing Kiymet TEZCAN (TUR) for the gold medal, Fernandez waited for the opportunity before picking up a leg attack for two points when Tezcan was on the activity clock to lead 3-0. She pressured Tezcan on the mat and then held the Turkiye on the mat to secure the fall.

With the victory in the final, Fernandez also extended her unbeaten streak in international wrestling to 28 wins out of which 16 are via fall, 11 via technical superiority and only one on points.

The gold, fourth for the United States of the tournament in Women's Wrestling, helped the nation win the U17 world team title, only for the second time as it had won the trophy in 2021. The U.S. finished with 167 points, well ahead of defending champion India which finished with 132 points. Japan was third with 127 points followed by Turkiye and Ukraine at fourth and fifth positions.

Wrestling Marlee SOLOMON (USA) Marlee SOLOMON (USA) tries to complete a takedown against AKSHARA (IND) during the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Fernandez's was the second gold medalist for the U.S. on Friday after Marlee SOLOMON (USA) claimed the gold medal at 53kg. She defeated AKSHARA (IND), 11-0, ending the match with a four-pointer.

Solomon used a two-on-one set up to complete her takedowns as Akshara failed to defend the pulls. During the second takedown, Solomon managed to score a turn to go up 6-0 and a sweep single and dumped the Indian for four points.

India challenged the four-point call, asking for a stepout as the action occurred close to the zone. But it lost the challenge and added one more point to Solomon's score.

Wrestling Kokona MAKINO (JPN) Kokona MAKINO (JPN) tries to pin Sandhya VISHNOI (IND) as the Indian commits an offensive foul during the 46kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Japan Wins 2 Golds

Earlier in the 46kg final, Kokona MAKINO (JPN) denied Sandhya VISHNOI (IND) via fall after building a 13-2 lead in a very aggressive gold-medal bout. Makino scored the first takedown for two points before Vishnoi got an exposure from scramble. But Makino was quick to score a reversal and lead 3-2 at the break.

While Vishnoi continued the hand-fighting with little awareness towards ground wrestling, Makino kept coming with sweep singles and scoring takedowns. She completed four takedowns using the same technique against a squared-up Vishnoi and after the fourth, she led 11-2 and later pinned the Indian, who committed offensive foul by pulling Makino's hair and ear, trying to avoid the pin.

With the two losses in the final, India ended its U17 campaign in Women's Wrestling without a gold medal, the first time since 2018 when it won two gold medals.

Wrestling Natsumi SASAKI (JPN) Natsumi SASAKI (JPN) defeated Tasnim ATHIMNI (TUN), 10-0, in the 40kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan's second gold medal came at 40kg when Natsumi SASAKI (JPN) completed a 10-0 win over Tasnim ATHIMNI (TUN) at 40kg. Athimni was the first to initiate attack and Sasaki was even put on the activity clock.

But the Tunisian wrestler let Sasaki take advantage when she left the corridor open. Sasaki capitalized to score a takedown and lead 2-0 before doubling it to 4-0 when she tossed Athimni for exposure in the next scramble.

The final lasted only 25 seconds in the second period as Sakaki used her long reach to finish a leg attack with takedown and two turns using the lace to complete a victory by technical superiority.

Athimni's silver was Tunisia's first-ever medal at the U17 World Championships and she is only the second wrestler from the country to reach a world final after 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist Marwa AMRI (TUN) who reached the final in 2017.

Wrestling Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR) Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR) celebrates after winning the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Turkiye Gold After 5 Years

Returning bronze medalist Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR) won gold medal at 61kg after blanking Landri VON GONTEN (USA), 10-0, in the final. She is Turkiye's second-ever U17 world champion in Women's Wrestling after Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) who won the 57kg gold medal in 2021.

Ozmez used some powerful leg attacks, all towards Von Gonten's right, to score her points. She began with a single-leg attack for a takedown before performing it again but this she threw Von Gonten for four points. Ozmez's third takedown was a counter when Von Gonten failed to trip her and Ozmez scored easy two points to lead 8-0.

The final takedown took some time but Ozmez completed it when Von Gonten went for a desperate long shot. Ozmez went for the go-behind and secured a 10-0 win and gold for Turkiye.

RESULTS

40kg
GOLD: Natsumi SASAKI (JPN) df. Tasnim ATHIMNI (TUN), 10-0

BRONZE: Sophia VALDEZ (USA) df. Rohini DEVBA (IND), 9-0
BRONZE: Sirin ASKARA (TUR) df. Gulkhanim SHIRINOVA (AZE), 12-4

46kg
GOLD: Kokona MAKINO (JPN) df. Sandhya VISHNOI (IND), via fall (13-2)

BRONZE: Inzhu BAKKOZHA (KAZ) df. Alina BARANOVA (RUS), 8-2
BRONZE: Madison HEALEY (USA) df. Vivien SZENTPAL (HUN), 10-0

53kg
GOLD: Marlee SOLOMON (USA) df. AKSHARA (IND), 11-0

BRONZE: Rion OGAWA (JPN) df. Valeria STANCHEVA (BUL), 10-0
BRONZE: Mariia ZHYTOVOZ (HUN) df. Alejandra SERRANO (COL), 11-0

61kg
GOLD: Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR) df. Landri VON GONTEN (USA), 10-0

BRONZE: AVANSHIKA (IND) df. Aruzhan BAKYTNUR (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Graciela ENINGO (ESP) df. Surae ABBASSOY (FIN), via fall

69kg
GOLD: Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) df. Kiymet TEZCAN (TUR), via fall

BRONZE: TANIYA (IND) df. Maja WEJCHAN (POL), 12-2
BRONZE: Nino SAMKHARADZE (GEO) df. Milana ULANOVA (KGZ), 2-1

2026 U23 European Championships

Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 15) -- Since 2024, Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has suffered only one loss -- to Darius KIEFER (GER) in the final of 2025 U20 European Championships.

On either side of that loss, Yakushenko had won two age-group European and three world titles. He has also avenged that loss to Kiefer and now heads the head-to-head, 4-1, with his latest victory over the German coming on Saturday at the U23 European Championships.

A day later on Sunday, Yakushenko added his second U23 European title after he defeated former U20 world champion and Paris Olympian Abubakr KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1, in perhaps his toughest match of the tournament.

"This [U23] European Championships was really tough for me," Yakushenko said. "Not as easy as I imagined. I thought it would be easier, but overall I think the hardest fights are still ahead."

In the final, Yakushenko was awarded the first passivity point and the par terre position from wihch he lifted Khaslakhanau and brought him towards the edge of the mat but failed to land the Belarussian wrestler in danger. He was awarded a point for the stepout which gave him a 2-0 lead.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) tries to throw Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaslakhanau got his chance in the second period when Yakushenko was put in par terre but failed to score any points. With a 2-1 lead, Yakushenko needed some good defense with two minutes left in the match.

While he had a couple of slip-ups during that time, Yakushenko did not give up any points. He was later warned for fleeing but managed to remain in contact after that. Belarus challenged for fleeing in the last 10 seconds but it was ruled out, adding one more point to Yakushenko's score.

"I had the same plan for all my opponents. It was tough," he said.

This was Yakushenko's third straight win over Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medalist and now a two-time U23 world silver medalist to go with his bronze as well.

Yakushenko defeated the Belarus wrestler twice last year -- a 7-3 victory at the U23 European Championships and then a 3-3 win at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad.

Daniial AGAEV (RUS) completed an 8-0 victory over William REENBERG (DEN) in just 37 seconds. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Agaev Leads Russia to Team Title

In other finals, Russia won two gold medals while Azerbiajan and Armenia won one gold each.

World bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (RUS) led an inspired performance from Russia as it won the Greco-Roman team title. Russia won the Freestyle team title as well in Zrenjanin.

With 190 points, Russia was the best team. Armenia managed 113 points to finish second and Georgia finished third with 106 points.

Agaev need only 37 seconds to win his 67kg final against William REENBERG (DEN). He scored a takedown and transitioned into a gut-wrench, winning 8-0.

Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) defeated Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Russia's second gold medal came at 72kg Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) blanked Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the final. Wrestling in only his third international tournament, Askerov began the final with a stepout before getting the par terre position. He did not score any points from the position but led 2-0.

An arm-drag to takedown doubled the lead to 4-0 before the break. In the second period, Askerov got another takedown to extend his lead to 6-0. The takedown also ended any hopes for Pada to get the par terre position.

Askerov would defend his 6-0 and win gold, his first major medal.

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) uses the seatbelt grip to throw Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) captured his first U23 European title after a series of suplex to beat Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0, in the 60kg final.

The former U20 champion was awarded the par terre in the first period which gave him a 1-0 lead. Kochalidze did well to defend the position but just as the referee was about to call neutral, Aghajanyan changed to a seatbelt grip and tossed Kochalidze in the opposite direction for two points.

He continued the same move with the seatbelt grip and was awarded four points for the second throw, giving him a 7-0 lead. The third throw was also scored four points, confirming an 11-0 victory for Aghajanyan.

Georgia challenged the decision, hoping that the throws will be scored two points each. But upon review the first throw was scored four points instead of original two points. With the second throw also being a four-pointer, the final was over, 9-0, a technical superiority win for the 2025 U23 world bronze medalist.

Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia suffered its second loss in the final at 82kg after Tornike MIKELADZE's (GEO) heartbreak against Elmin ALIYEV (AZE), 3-2.

Aliyev was down 2-0 at the break after giving up a stepout and passivity point in the first period. However, he managed to score a stepout at the start of the second period that later proved to be a crucial moment in the final.

Down 2-1, Aliyev was awarded the par terre position, giving him a 2-2 criteria lead. He failed to score any points from par terre but the criteria of scoring the last points remained with him and that enabled him to win the final.

Georgia threw a late challenge, asking for fleeing from Aliyev. But there was no evident fleeing and Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point to Aliyev, who won 3-2.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) df. Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilian AINAOUI (FRA) df. Brian SANTIAGO (DEN), 1-1

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (RUS) df. William REENBERG (DEN), 8-0

BRONZE: Azat SARIYAR (TUR) df. Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Farid KHALILOV (AZE) df. Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) df. Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0

BRONZE Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Leonard IURASCU (ROU), 5-4
BRONZE: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) df. Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 3-2

BRONZE: Illia VALEUSKI (BLR) df. Szabolcs SZINAY (HUN), 10-1
BRONZE: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df. Alexander AEMAES (NOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1

BRONZE: Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Robin USPENSKI (EST), 6-4
BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Luka GABISONIA (GEO), 9-3

Fernandez Wins Rare Third U17 World Gold, U.S. Team Title

Japan Wins 2 Golds

Turkiye Gold After 5 Years

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Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold