#Budapest2018

Media Accreditation Process for 2018 Wrestling World Championships Now Open

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 13:23 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (June 19) – United World Wrestling has opened the press and media accreditation for the 2018 Senior Wrestling World Championships October 20-28 at the Papp László Sports Arena in Budapest.

The nine-day tournament is expected to attract more than 800 athletes from 180 eligible national federations. Budapest last hosted world championships in 2016 with the Senior Wrestling World Championships for Non-Olympic weight categories. The city also hosted the full championships in 2013.

“We are excited to welcome members of the press and media to Budapest,” said Németh SZILÁRD, president of the Hungarian Wrestling Federation. “Our athletes will have excellent conditions and we will make sure to have a beautiful arena for them and for the cameras.”

All interested members of the press are asked to register for the 2018 World Championships using the following link: https://athena.unitedworldwrestling.org/press/post.

National federations who wish to accredit their communications and media staff should use space provided within their official delegation form. National federations will be limited to a total of three NF press credentials.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Visa Invitation Letter 

Please contact the LOC directly at: info@budapestwrestling2018.com with the subject, "Visa Invitation Letter”

Accreditation Center 

Press and Media accreditations can be picked up at the BOK Csarnok (SYMA), which is 100m walking distance from the competition hall and "Puskas Ferenc Stadion” metro station

Accommodation 

Hotels are NOT being reserved by the local organizing committee. The LOC asks that media and press look for accommodations on their own and recommends choosing close to subway lines.

Press Questions 

Iglói-Nagy István
press attaché
Tel: +36 30 235 2650
istvan.igloinagy@budapestwrestling2018.com 
press@unitedworldwrestling.org

TV Rights/Broadcasting Questions 

television@united-world-wrestling.org

 

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UWW Breakout Wrestlers of 2025: Hidlay, Farokhi, Onishi

Monday, December 15, 2025 - 12:24 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 14) -- The 2025 Breakout Wrestlers of the Year were not the ones anyone circled heading into the season. They weren’t the favorites, or the ones analysts picked to walk away from the season as world medalists.

They were the outsiders, largely unproven and underestimated. But that all changed in a single season when they smashed expectations, catapulting themselves into world-wide stardom with world-title runs that nobody saw coming.

Freestyle Breakout Performer of the Year: Trent HIDLAY (USA)

Before 2025, Hidlay had never climbed to the top of a podium at an international event. His  2025 season even began with more doubt than promise, dropping his second match of the year to rising Azeri phenom Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) at the Zagreb Open. But that loss lit a fuse. From that moment on, the 26-year-old didn’t just improve -- he transformed.

Hidlay unleashed a stunning 13-match win streak and collected gold medals at the Pan-American Championships, the Budapest Ranking Series and the World Championships. Along the way, he knocked off giants -- Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), just to name a few.

Then came the finale: a world finals comeback for the ages. Down and all but finished, Hidlay stormed back to defeat Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW). In one year, Hidlay didn’t just win -- he arrived.

Greco-Roman Breakout Performer of the Year: Gholemreza FAROKHI (IRI)

When opportunity knocked, Farokhi wasn’t just there to answer it, he was there to kick the door off its hinges. The 23-year-old stepped into Iran’s senior lineup for the first time in his career and tore through anyone in front of him -- whether it was at 82kg or 87kg.

Farokhi bulldozed his way to gold medals at the two World Championships he participated in. He racked up a perfect 17-0 record, including 11 technical superiority wins and six decisions, sweeping gold at the World Championships, U23 World Championships, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Women’s Wrestling Breakout Performer of the Year: Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

At 19 years old, Onishi entered the senior circuit with massive goals but had zero experience and zero fear. In mere months, she became a problem no one had an answer for.

Onishi tore through the season with a flawless 15-0 record, capturing titles at the Senior and U20 World Championships, the Asian Championships, and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. Her dominance wasn’t subtle -- it was exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese women’s wrestler -- 11 tech falls, three pins, and a decision, outscoring opponents 158-17.