2026 U17 World Championships

Labazanov Leads Russia to Two Golds at U17 World Championships

By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 28) -- Shamil LABAZANOV (RUS) shocked Ibrahim NASIBOV (UKR) and the Ukrainian could never recover from that.

The two clashed in the 65kg final of the U17 World Championships final in Baku on Tuesday. Nasibov had looked in top form coming into the final and Labazanov had scored a 29-seocnd win in the semifinal using a deadly front headlock.

Nasibov must have watched Labazanov's semifinal and thought that the front headlock will come. Yet, he was not able to stop it.

When Labazanov was awarded the par terre in the first period, he did not go for the traditional gut-wrench as Nasibov was prepared to defend it. But he went for the front headlock which Nasibov failed to defend.

Labazanov scored the first turn as Nasibov was still trying to stable himself to defend. But then he did it again with brute force and then again to lead 7-0. Nasibov was left playing catch from there on.

Nasibov managed to cut the lead to 7-2 before the break and despite the par terre in the second period, it was never enough as Labazanov won 7-5 to capture the 65kg title.

Wrestling Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS)Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS) with the world champion belt at the podium. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

This was the second gold medal for Russia on Tuesday, coming after Soltan IUSUPOV's (RUS) dominant win at 48kg. In the first final of the night, Iusupov and Ali ALMAS (KAZ) clashed and when the Kazakhstan wrestler got the par terre in the first period, it seemed that it will an even contest.

However, Iusupov did not think so. He first defended that position and then scored a takedown and turn in the first period to lead 4-1 at the break. He was not done yet as he began the second period also with a takedown, and then used a slideby to make it 8-1. He turned Almas in the same sequence to earn a 10-1 win. Kazakhstan challenged the last call and it was changed to one takedown and scored returned to 8-1.

Almas managed to bring him down in the final 20 seconds to cut the lead to 8-3 but that was all he managed despite getting the only par terer of the final.

Kazakhstan's moment of glory came at 55kg when Diyar AMANALI (KAZ) won the gold medal at 55kg after beating Keve KOVACS (HUN), 1-1 in the final. The two traded passivity but it was the Kazakhstan wrestler who kept the criteria as he got the par terre first.

Wrestling Alireza REZAEI (IRI)Alireza REZAEI (IRI) loads to launch Isfahan HASANOV (AZE) for a throw during the 80kg final in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Rezaei Gives Iran Gold

Iran's campaign got a breather after Alireza REZAEI (IRI) grabbed the 80kg gold medal by upsetting Isfahan HASANOV (AZE), 2-1, in the final and the home crowd. In the low scoring final, Rezaei was put in par terre first but he defended the position to keep Hasanov's lead to 1-0.

In the second period, Rezaei got his chance from par terre and while he could not perform a big move, he lifted and threw Hasanov out of bounds for a step out point to lead 2-1. This left Hasanov needing at least one point to win but the Iranian evaded any such situation to claim gold, the first medal for Iran in Baku.

Wrestling Tymofii Prykhodko (UKR)Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) tries to pin Bruno PALLONE (USA) during the 110kg final at the U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Prykhodko's Golden Throws

Ukraine also went home with a gold medal as Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) clinched the 110kg title after a big-throwing show in the final against Bruno PALLONE (USA). Both wrestler went all out and complete four-point throws with ease. However, Prykhodko never gave up the lead and eventually won 14-5.

Prykhodko began with an arm-spin which resulted in a takedown for two points. He then completed his first big throw for four points and had Pallone in danger for fall but the U.S. wrestler managed to escape the position. A stepout before the break gave Pallone a point which cut the lead to 6-1.

Instead of playing the waiting game, Pallone hit a four-pointer at the start of the second period and came within one point distance, 6-5, of Prykhodko. At one point, both wrestlers bear-hugged each other but it was the Ukrainian who risked a headlock and once again threw Pallone for four points.

Pallone had no choice but go for the big throw himself as Prykhodko kept the pressure. But when he did, it was in a bad position and he tamely fell on his own back, giving Prykhodko four points, the win and the gold medal.

Wrestling Bunyod HASANOV (UZB)Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) dominated his way to the 51kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hasanov, Nazaryan Aim Repeat; Barotov Chases History

Two returning world champions, Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) and Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), will look to repeat as gold medalists after reach the 51kg and 71kg finals respectively on Tuesday.

Hasanov will aim to become the first wrestler from Uzbekistan two win the U17 world gold twice when he takes on returning bronze medalist from 45kg, Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE), in the 51kg gold-medal bout.

In the semifinal, Hasanov wrestled Vadim TARELUNGA (MDA) and completed a 10-0 victory inside the first period. He unleashed a strong gut-wrench from par terre for two turns and a 5-0 lead. 

Tarelunga tried a headlock throw but Hasanov blocked him to get two points and then turned the Moldova wrestler just in time to win but Moldova challenged the call as it may have been risk from Tarelunga but it was confirmed as takedown. The lost challenged added one more point to Hasanov's score.

Huseynli also went into a commanding 7-2 lead from par terre against Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO) but he had to defended as well when the Georgian got the par terre in the second. From 7-3, Huseynli got two stepouts for a 9-3 win.

Wrestling Janes NAZARYAN (ARM)Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), red, reached the 71kg final and will aim for his second world gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Nazaryan, who won gold last year at 65kg, will face U17 European champion at 65kg Aslan DZUEV (RUS) in the 71kg final after both posted commanding wins in the semifinals.

The Armenian blanked Kristiyan KRASTEV (BUL), 8-0, while Dzuev defeated Esmaeil ZAHERDOUST (IRI), 10-1, to reach the gold medal bouts.

At 45kg, U17 European champion Ali JAVADLI (AZE) will look to give the home country its first gold of the tournament when he takes on Rylen WAX (USA) for the gold medal.

In a bizarre turn of events, Javadli's opponent in the semifinals, Armin ESMAEILI (IRI) did not show up for the mat and gave a forfeit.

Wax controlled his semifinal against Afruzbek IBRAGIMOV (UZB) and completed a 2-1, win. When Ibragimov got the par terre, he lifted Wax but ended up giving up a reversal which gave Wax a 1-1 criteria lead. Wax got the par terre in second period for the 2-1 lead and the win.

Wrestling Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK)Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) has the chance to become Tajikistan's first-ever world champion in Greco-Roman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

More history in on the line on Tuesday as Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) will try to become Tajikistan's first-ever Greco-Roman world champion at any level after he reached the 60kg final. He defeated Alexandru LUNGU (ROU), 2-1 in the semfinals.

But the task will not be easy as he faces U17 Asian champion Amirreza TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) who staged a stunning comeback for a close 5-4 victory over Elmir CHARKAZOV (AZE).

Charkazov got the first par terre of the match but did not score any points but he managed a pushout point before the break to lead 2-0. Tahmasbpour tried a duckunder in the second period which Charkazov countered with a takedown to double his lead to 4-0.

Tahmasbpour up the pace of the bout and Charkazov tried a blank throw, only to land on his own back and give up two. He tried another desperate throw but the Iranian did not land in danger, countering with a takedown to take a 4-4 criteria lead.

Azerbaijan challenged the decision, asking for two points for the throw but lost it which added one more point to Tahmasbpour's score.

At 92kg, U17 European champion Tomasz MITAL (POL) is one step away from adding the world gold medal. He pinned Yusuf AKSU (TUR) in the semifinal to reach the final where he will take on Hlib YEVSIEIEV (UKR) who had no trouble beating Mirjalol SHOVKATOV (UZB), 8-0.

Wrestling Photos

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Soltan IUSUPOV (RUS) df. Ali ALMAS (KAZ), 8-3

BRONZE: Ararat AVETISYAN (ARM) df. Benedek TOMBOR (HUN), 8-0
BRONZE: Omar SALMANOV (AZE) df. Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 7-1

55kg
GOLD: Diyar AMANALI (KAZ) df. Keve KOVACS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Edem PAIZIEV (RUS) df. Danimir YORDANOV (BUL), 8-0
BRONZE: Vlad TRIP (ROU) df. Tsimafei SEMIANENKA (BLR), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Shamil LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Ibrahim NASIBOV (UKR), 7-5

BRONZE: Imre JUHASZ (HUN) df. Vazgen MNATSAKANYAN (ARM), 3-2
BRONZE: Orkhan HABIBLI (AZE) df. Kunal DAGAR (IND), 7-5

80kg
GOLD: Alireza REZAEI (IRI) df. Isfahan HASANOV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) df. Ivan IVANOV (USA), 12-4
BRONZE: Benediktas BUBELEVICIUS (LTU) df. Abdulhalik BAL (TUR), 5-2

110kg
GOLD: Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR) df. Bruno PALLONE (USA), 14-5

BRONZE: Andrej SIMIC (SRB) df. Yahor SAVICH (BLR), 5-1
BRONZE: Aliakbar AKOO (IRI) df. Fedor SUKHAREV (RUS), 1-1

Semifinals

45kg
SF 1: Rylen WAX (USA) df. Afruzbek IBRAGIMOV (UZB), 2-1
SF 2: Ali JAVADLI (AZE) df. Armin ESMAEILI (IRI), via forfeit

51kg
SF 1: Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) df. Vadim TARELUNGA (MDA), 10-0
SF 2: Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE) df. Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO), 9-3

60kg
SF 1: Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) df. Alexandru LUNGU (ROU), 2-1
SF 2: Amirreza TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) df. Elmir CHARKAZOV (AZE), 5-4

71kg
SF 1: Janes NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Kristiyan KRASTEV (BUL), 8-0
SF 2: Aslan DZUEV (RUS) df. Esmaeil ZAHERDOUST (IRI), 10-1

92kg
SF 1: Tomasz MITAL (POL) df. Yusuf AKSU (TUR), via fall (7-3)
SF 2: Hlib YEVSIEIEV (UKR) df. Mirjalol SHOVKATOV (UZB), 8-0

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series Day 3 Wrestling Results & Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 17) -- UWW Wrestling: The Budapest Ranking Series will enter its third day with four Women's Wrestling weight classes -- 59kg, 62kg, 65kg and 68kg -- and two Greco-Roman weight classes -- 67kg and 77kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | TAZHUDINOV BOUNCES BACK | BULLEN'S MOVE

GR 77kg semifinals - Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) with a stepout, 13 seconds before the time expired to beat Danil GRIGOREV (RUS) at 77kg. Grigorev led 1-1 on criteria after both wrestlers exchanged par terre. But Solovei clearly kept the pressure and pushed Grigorev out. Russia challenged the call but lost it giving the Moldovan a 3-1 win. In the other semifinal, Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) hangs on for a 2-2 criteria beat Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS). Both scored points in the first period and Alameldin kept that lead.

GR 67kg Semifinals - U23 world champion Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY) turns it around against Ruslan BICHURIN (RUS) with a four-point throw and a foul from Bichurin that gave him a 6-3 lead. He defended the lead to reach the final in which he will take on another Russian wrestler Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) who defeated Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), 6-2. Bammatov scored two turns from par terre to lead 5-1. Galstyan got the par terre but did not score but challenged for a foul which was not there, giving Bammatov another point and a 6-2 win.

WW 68kg semifinals - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) led 1-1 on criteria but she manages a takedown when Noémi SZABADOS (HUN) tries a throw. The defense from Kyrgyzstan wrestler always troubles her opponents. She will now face Jia LONG (CHN) in the final after the China wrestler defeated Nesrin BAS (TUR). Bas scored a stepout to make it 2-1 with Long leading. But Long exposed when Bas tried to hit a leg attack. She then managed a go-behind to lead 6-1. Turkiye challenged the scoring but lost it to add one more point for Long gave up a late stepout but wins 7-2

WW 65kg semifinals - Jennifer PAGE (USA) hangs on for a 4-2 win over Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ). She will take on compatriot Reese LARRAMENDY (USA) who defeated Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN), via fall. She countered an attack from Rowbottom and then used the arm bar to get the pin.

WW 62kg semifinals - MANSI (IND) builds a 6-0 lead using the lace and then two takedowns to win 10-0 against compatriot SAVITA (IND). But she seems to have hurt her knee. In the other semifinals which went back and fourth, Ana GODINEZ (CAN) used a four-pointer in the first period to lead 7-7 criteria against Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) and then managed to win 13-7 to enter the final.

WW 59kg semifinals - Abigail NETTE (USA) gets two four-point throws against Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) to win 10-0 and move into the final in which she will face NEHA (IND) who defeated Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ). Neha scored a takedown and two turns using the gut-wrench to lead 6-2. She gave up a takedown at the start of the second period but defended her lead to win 6-4.

13:22: It was only a 46-second bout but Salvik GALTSYAN (ARM) shocks world champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) with a fall. Galtsyan used an arm-throw to score first two points but Khalmakhanov also scores exposure for two points. However, Galtsyan never let's go of the arm and then stop on top of Khalmakhanov till the fall is confirmed.

13:20: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) reaches the 62kg semifinals after another top win. She scores a couple of stepouts and a takedown in her 6-2 win over Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA). 

13:07: Jia LONG (CHN) takes out former European champion Alina SHAUCHUK (BLR), 8-2, at 68kg. Shauchuk scored the first takedown but Long took the 2-2 criteria lead. She then got another takedown in the second period and two turns to change the bout.

13:00: Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) denies Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) at 77kg with a 1-1 criteria win. He got the first par terre position which gave him the criteria

12:45: Grace BULLEN (NOR) has been saved by her pinning abilities and it looked like she once again managed to pull off an incredible fall over Ana GODINEZ (CAN) at 62kg. Down 6-4, Bullen gets an opening when Godinez tries an attack and Bullen throws her off for two points and holds her for a fall. However, Canada challenges asking for a foul as Bullen locked bout her hands behind Godinez's head. The challenge is won and the fall cancelled with Bullen leading 6-6 on criteria and 12 seconds left in the match. Godinez however manages a stepout and win 7-6 

12:37: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) stuns the home fans by throwing Levente LEVAI (HUN) twice in the 77kg bout and win 8-0. The second throw, when Alameldin was loading for a suplex, he dropped Levai in front to surprise the Hungarian

12:35: World champion at 63kg, Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) rocks Mustafa YILDIRIM (TUR) with a 9-0 win at 67kg. No troubles for Khalmakhanov here.

12:15: Qi ZHANG (CHN) works on a throw for four points and holds her 6-2 lead to beat European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), who had moved up from 59kg to 62kg.

12:10: Surprising slow win for world bronze medalist Jia LONG (CHN) at 68kg against Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER). In fact, it was Schaefle who got the opening takedown and held Long in the position for fall. However, Long survived that. She scored just two takedowns and managed a 4-2 win.

12:05: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) pins Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) in the first period to win at 68kg and advance.

12:00: Incredible comeback from Alina SHEVCHENKO (RUS) over NISHA (IND) at 68kg. Nisha led 6-1 when she committed an offensive foul of twisting the ankle. At one point, Nisha led 7-2 but Shevchenko kept the pressure and added three takedowns to make it 8-7. Nisha tried hitting a head pinch but failed and Shevchenko got two points for the win.

11:40: Levente LEVAI (HUN) advances at 77kg after an 8-2 win over Rui LIU (CHN). Levai built a 7-1 lead before Liu was awarded passivity in the second period. He completed a body throw but was not awarded any points as Levai rotated in the air and landed back on his chest. China challenged but lost it, giving one more point to Levai

11:20: Nesrin BAS (TUR) with total control of her bout against Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE) as she wins 10-0 at 68kg. She did not complete the bout in one move but manages to work on different techniques to achieve the five takedowns

11:10: In an all-China match-up at 68kg, Jia LONG (CHN) uses the gut-wrench to beat compatriot Zelu LI (CHN) 10-0 to advance.

10:55: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) with four different takedowns against Laura KOEHLER (GER) to win 8-0 at 68kg. Solid defensive performance as well from the Olympic silver medalist

10:50: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) and Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) in a heated bout at 77kg. Arsalan scored a takedown in the first period before a stepout made it 3-0 for him. Nakibov took a huge advantage when he began the second period with a stepout. He got the passivity in the second period and scored a turn from par terre to win 4-3.

10:35: What a start to the day! Former European champion at 72kg Levente LEVAI (HUN) with a four-pointer and then a huge five Idris IBAEV (GER) to complete a 9-0 win at 77kg.