#WrestleParis

Paris 2024: 18 wrestlers to compete at 74kg

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (July 24) -- The 74kg weight class at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will have 18 wrestlers. It was confirmed after the International Olympic Committee approved the participation of Individual Neutral Athlete Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN).

Paris 2024 will see 291 wrestlers compete in Freestyle, Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman. Wrestling begins August 5 and ends August 11. Here’s the full schedule.

You can find the entry list here -- Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. The seeds for the Paris 2024 can be accessed here -- Wrestling seeds Paris 2024.

For more detailed Paris 2024 news, click here.

#BeachWrestling

Sakurai swaps mat for sand, wins Beach Wrestling gold

By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 13) -- Paris Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) made a return to competition for the first time since August last year. However, it was not on the mat.

Sakurai, who won gold medal at 57kg in Paris, returned to compete in beach wrestling. She wrestled at the Japan Beach Wrestling National Team Qualifying Tournament held in Tachikawa, Tokyo on Sunday and won gold at 60kg

"It may sound strange for me to say it, but I felt that I was suited to it," Sakurai was quoted by Japan Olympic Committee.

Sakurai, who is not entered for the June 19-22 Meiji Cup, Japan's qualifying tournament for the World Championships in September, is now qualified to compete for Japan in Beach Wrestling this year.

"Since I am qualified for the international tournament, I will try to participate," she said. "I want to be number one. I'll practice on the sandy beaches of Kochi [Prefecture]."

The three-time world champion, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the mat soon.

"I am still practicing on the mat and when I feel like I am ready, I will be back on the mat," she said.