#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog U23 World Championships Day 3: WW 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, 76kg

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 3) -- Day three of the U23 World Championships will see women's wrestling with five weights. Wrestlers from 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg will be on the mat. The first two days saw Greco-Roman stars put up a show and if you missed any action, here's the recap.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

1300: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) closes out the session with a 12-0 win over FRISKE (USA) and that will do for the morning session! We will be back at 1645 hours local time for the semifinals

1250: What a bout we had! Alexandra HEDRICK (USA) lead 6-6 on criteria against ANJU (IND) with 30 seconds to go. Anju pulls off a beautiful double leg and a four-point throw! There is reverse exposure for 2 but the time finishes and Anju wins 11-8

1240: Another fall! Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) makes it looks easy with a big throw and pins junior world silver BIPASHA (IND). She moves into the semifinals.

1232: A fall for Kylie WELKER (USA)! She locks the arms of Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) and holds her back on the mat to secure the fall. On Mat C, Somolia VYNNYK (UKR) was in a an intense battle with Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR) but she holds on for a 8-6 win

1230: Returning bronze medalist Anhelina LYSAK (POL) humbles junior world champion Annastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS) via fall in the quarterfinals of 59kg. A strong statement from the senior Euros silver medalist

1225: A takedown and two front lifts give six points to Pawar and she leads Profatilova 11-6. A single leg takedown to finish the bout 13-6. She reaches the 50kg semifinals

1220: Anna SZEL (HUN), a silver medalist from the junior Euros, moves into the 59kg semifinals with a 6-2 win over Ebru DAGBASI (TUR). On Mat C, Shivani PAWAR (IND) trails Tetiana PROFATILOVA (UKR) 6-5

1210: Emily SHILSON (USA) with the fall! Stefania PRICEPUTU (ROU) is the victim of an arm-trap and Shilson gets her on her back. It took some time but Shilson moves on to the semifinals

1200: The quarterfinals are underway. Mariia TIUMENKOVA (RUS) is up against Samantha ROMANO (CAN). Tiumenkova with a series of takedowns to lead 6-0 at the break. In the second period she finishes it 10-0 with ease

1145: World bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) does not spend much time on the mat and pins Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) to get herself going

1130: On Mat C, Kylie WELKER (USA) and Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) battled it out but it is the junior world champ from USA who holds on for a 6-5 win

1120: An upset on Mat B! Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) against now against junior European champion Somolia VYNNYK (UKR). The scores are tied 4-4 with Vynnyk holding criteria. Nichita works hard for exposure but no points.

1100: Junior world champion Emily SHILSON (USA) is on Mat A. She is wrestling Lisa ERSEL (GER) at 50kg. She starts with a takedown and then adds a double leg to lead 4-0. Ersel attempts but Shilson goes behind. A gut and lace finishes it 10-0 for Shilson

1045: What a start we have! Shivani PAWAR (IND) was down 0-9 against U23 Euro silver Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) but gets a big throw and a pin to survive and advance

1030: Welcome to day three of the U23 World Championships in Belgrade. After the highs of Greco-Roman, women's wrestlers are ready to put on a show. Keep an eye on junior world champion Emily SHILSON (USA), European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), junior world champion Kylie WELKER (USA)

More than 1000 Wrestlers in Saudi Arabia's Biggest Competition

By United World Wrestling Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (February 24) -- Saudi Arabia organized its largest wrestling competition to date with more than 1000 wrestlers participating in the 10-day event.

The Saudi Wrestling Federation organized the event from February 8 to 17 with wrestling in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. The age groups included U12, U17, U23 and senior level.

The tournament was also open to government and private clubs which surged the number of wrestlers participating. The clubs included wrestlers from different nationalities. According to the Saudi federation, 1,173 wrestlers participated with 1,034 male and 139 female wrestlers.

Over the 10 days, 1,491 matches were conducted using the official UWW Arena competition management system to ensure professional organization, transparency, and technical accuracy.

"The number of registered wrestlers in the Kingdom has doubled in recent years," Sherif HALAWA, UWW Certified Educator & Head of Sports Performance of the Saudi Wrestling Federation, said. "This development has already produced historic achievements, including Saudi Arabia’s first-ever Asian silver medal at the U20 Asian Championships."

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, which termed the event as National Championships, has made steady success recently. It has also managed to grow wrestling at grassroots, women’s participation, referee development, and high-performance pathways.

"The technical level of Saudi wrestlers has improved significantly in recent years," Yusup ABDULSALAMOV, Senior Manager of High Performance at the Saudi Olympic Training Center, said. "There are promising talents capable of achieving strong international results in the near future. Saudi wrestling is clearly on the right path."