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Kamal Eases into Sixth Straight World Final

Saturday, August 17, 2019 - 16:56 By Eric Olanowski

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TALLINN, Estonia (August 17) -- Kerem KAMAL (TUR) eased into his sixth consecutive world finals match and will be looking to be strapped with a junior world title belt for the third straight year. He’s now made it to back-to-back cadet world finals and a trio of junior world gold-medal bouts.

The reigning two-time junior world champion locked up his sixth consecutive trip to the age-group world finals with three imposing wins on the day – capped off with a 7-4 victory over Talastan KANZHARBEK UULU (KGZ) in the semifinals. For the Turkish superstar to win his third consecutive junior world title, he’ll have to get through Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM), who shutout Georgii TIBILOV (RUS), 6-0. 

Meanwhile, Armenia and Russia will each have two wrestlers jockeying for a world gold on Sunday night. 

In addition to Hovhannisyan, who’ll wrestle Kamal for the gold medal at 60kg, Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) will also represent Armenia in Sunday night’s finals. In his junior-level debut, the Armenian went 4-0 and cemented his spot in the world finals with a 15-5 demolishing victory over Abdul BASAR (TUR). He’ll take on Georgia’s a three-time age-group European champion Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO), who blanked Peyton OMANIA (USA), 7-0 en route to his first world title bout. 

Russia will also have a pair of gold-medal hopefuls lacing up on Sunday night. They are Sergei STEPANOV and Aues GONIBOV, who’ll compete at 72kg and 82kg, respectively. Setpanov reached the finals at a junior-level tournament for the first time in his career with an 8-0 victory against Ihor BYCHKOV (UKR). The two-time European bronze medalist is set to trade blows with Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) in the 72kg gold-medal match. The Azeri locked up his second world finals appearance and his third overall world medal with a 4-1 semifinal win against Ismail GUN (TUR). 

At 82kg, Aues Gonibov stuck Dogan KAYA (TUR) to make the finals, where he'll be awaited by Istvan TAKACS (HUN). The Hungarian trailed 5-0 in his semifinal’s bout against Hosein FOROUZANDEH GHOJEHBEIGLOU (IRI) but outscored the Iranian 16-2 and inserted himself in the finals.  

The final day of wrestling at the 2019 Junior World Championships kick off at 16:00 (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwretling.org. 

RESULTS 
60kg
GOLD - Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df. Georgii TIBILOV (RUS), 6-0 
SEMIFINAL - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Talastan KANZHARBEK UULU (KGZ), 7-4 

67kg
GOLD - Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) vs. Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM)
SEMIFINAL - Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) df. Peyton OMANIA (USA), 7-0
SEMIFINAL - Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df. Abdul BASAR (TUR), 15-5 

72kg
GOLD - Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df. Ihor BYCHKOV (UKR), 8-0 
SEMIFINAL - Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) df. Ismail GUN (TUR), 4-1  

82kg
GOLD - Istvan TAKACS (HUN) vs. Aues GONIBOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Hosein FOROUZANDEH GHOJEHBEIGLOU (IRI), 16-7 
SEMIFINAL - Aues GONIBOV (RUS) df. Dogan KAYA (TUR, via fall

97kg
GOLD - Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) vs. Patrick NEUMAIER (GER)
SEMIFINAL - Patrick NEUMAIER (GER) df. Gerard Cyprian KURNICZAK (POL), 5-3
SEMIFINAL - Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) df. Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR), 9-0 

UWW Statement on 2026 World Championships

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 02:19 By United World Wrestling Press

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Joint Statement from United World Wrestling, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 22) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), in close coordination with the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation, announces the postponement of the 2026 World Championships originally scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 1 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This decision has been made after careful and responsible consideration of the current geopolitical situation in the region, particularly the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pending conflict involving the Gulf region and its broader impact on regional stability and international travel. While Bahrain remains fully committed to hosting world-class sporting events, all parties believe that the safety, confidence, and overall experience of athletes, officials, delegations, partners, and fans must remain the highest priority.

As organizations dedicated to the growth and integrity of international sport, UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation believe it is important to make this decision with adequate time and transparency, rather than waiting until the final stages of preparation. Acting responsibly now allows sufficient opportunity to evaluate a potential new host nation for 2026, so the competition host can be identified and the event can be prepared in a professional and orderly manner.

Wrestling has always been more than competition. It is a bridge between nations, cultures, and people. At a time when the world faces uncertainty and division, we are reminded that sport remains a universal language of peace, respect, and unity. It is in this spirit that UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation issue this joint statement together.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the global wrestling family -- athletes, national federations, coaches, officials, partners, and supporters around the world -- for their understanding, solidarity, and continued support. United World Wrestling works with the national members in close cooperation, trust, and shared commitment to protecting the interests of the sport and its community worldwide.

Further updates regarding future dates and hosting considerations will be communicated in due course.