#WrestleBudapest19

Japan and China Dominate Field in First Day of Women's Freestyle at #BudapestWrestle

Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 08:56 By Taylor Miller

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Photo of Masako FURUICHI (JPN) by Sachiko Hotaka.

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Japan and China combined for eight of Thursday night’s 10 women’s freestyle finalists at the 2019 U23 World Championships.

Japan sent all five of its Wednesday competitors to the gold medal match, all of which have won World titles previously, while China put three into the finals.

Leading the way for Japan is three-time Junior World champion, three-time Cadet World champion and 2019 Senior World bronze medalist Masako FURUICHI (JPN) at 68 kg.

For gold, Furuichi will face 2018 Cadet World champion and two-time Junior World silver medalist Macey KILTY (USA).

Japan and China will have gold-medal head-to-head matchups at 50 kg, 55 kg and 76 kg.

At 50 kg, Kika KAGATA (JPN), a 2017 Junior World champion and two-time Cadet World champion, will go against Ziqi FENG (CHN) for the title.

Photo of Macey KILTY (USA) by Kadir Caliskan. 

Representing Japan in the 55 kg final is reigning U23 World champion and 2018 Junior World champion Saki IGARASHI (JPN). On Thursday night, she will face 2018 Senior Asian Championships bronze medalist Lannuan LUO (CHN).

It will be a battle of World champions at 76 kg as 2019 Junior World champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) will challenge returning U23 World champion and 2019 Senior World bronze medalist Pahlia PAHLI (CHN).

Kagami is also a two-time Cadet World champion and a 2018 Youth Olympic Games champ.

In the other final, two-time Cadet World champion Yumeka TANABE (JPN) will face Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), who is a 2018 Junior World champion and three-time age-group World silver medalist.

Medal matches begin Thursday at 6 p.m. local time (noon ET) live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Semifinals results
50 kg
Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 10-0
Kika KAGATA (JPN) df. Jyoti JYOTI (IND), 15-4

55 kg
Lannuan LUO (CHN) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), 12-2
Saki IGARASHI (JPN) df. Khrystyna Zoryana DEMKO (UKR), 4-3

59 kg
Yumeka TANABE (JPN) df. Alena SANGADIEVA (RUS), fall
Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Yuliya PISARENKA (BLR), 8-3

68 kg
Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Natalia STRZALKA (POL), 11-0
Macey KILTY (USA) df. Yingying WANG (CHN), 11-0

76 kg
Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 8-3
Paliha PALIHA (CHN) df. Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE), 6-3

Finals matchups
50 kg: Ziqi FENG (CHN) vs. Kika KAGATA (JPN)
55 kg: Lannuan LUO (CHN) vs. Saki IGARASHI (JPN)
59 kg: Yumeka TANABE (JPN) vs. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
68 kg: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) vs. Macey KILTY (USA)
76 kg: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) vs. Paliha PALIHA (CHN)

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW and European University Sports Association Sign MoU

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 09:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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POREC, Croatia (June 2) -- United World Wrestling (UWW) and The European University Sports Association (EUSA) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations in Porec, Croatia on May 30.

The MoU was officially signed by the two presidents: UWW President Nenad LALOVIC and EUSA President Haris PAVLETIC at an official signing ceremony. The MoU marks a commitment by EUSA and UWW to cooperate to further university sport, specifically in wrestling across Europe, and to explore the possibilities of working closer together, including on the potential of EUSA Wrestling events in the future.

Both presidents expressed their pleasure to formalise the cooperation, and excitement for the future of wrestling in European university sport.

The MoU was signed on the occasion of the “Unisport HR Finals”, the finals of the Croatian University Sport competitions, and a range of UWW Wrestling events, including the Beach Wrestling World Series, which all took place in the Croatian city.

“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with United World Wrestling marks an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between international sport federations and the university sport movement," EUSA President Pavletic said. "We are particularly pleased to welcome wrestling into the EUSA Combat Sport Championships starting from 2027 in La Nucia, Spain, creating new opportunities for student-athletes to compete, develop, and promote the values of excellence, respect, and fair play."

The EUSA delegation was additionally represented by Vice President Aitor Canibe SANCHEZ, Secretary General / CEO  Matjaz PECOVNIK, and Director of Sports Events Liam SMITH.

About United World Wrestling:
United World Wrestling is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Headquartered in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, UWW oversees Olympic wrestling disciplines, including Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling, as well as associated styles such as Grappling, Pankration, Belt Wrestling, and Beach Wrestling. UWW works with national federations worldwide to promote, regulate, and develop the sport at all levels.

About EUSA:
EUSA organises European Universities Games and European Universities Championships across 25 sports, attracting more than 6,000 participants from over 500 universities each year. (eusa.eu)