Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial Preview

Monday, May 20, 2019 - 17:34 By Eric Olanowski

SASSARI, Italy (May 20) -- The Palestra Comunale, located minutes away from the sandy beaches of the Italian island of Sardinia, will host United World Wrestling’s third Ranking Series event of the year, the Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial on May 23-25. The endless list of star-studded entries features four Olympic champions, 18 returning world medalists, and three wrestlers who sit atop of this month’s world ranking.

The four wrestlers who’ve reached the top of the podium at the Olympic Games are Rio gold medalists Soslan RAMONOV (RUS) and Erica WIEBE (CAN), and London Olympic champions KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) and Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS).

There’ll also be at least five returning medalists per style from last year’s Budapest World Championships and three No. 1-ranked wrestlers in action starting on Thursday.

Both freestyle and Greco-Roman will feature five returning world medalists, including a pair of world silver-medal finishers. There will also be a pair of Budapest silver medalists in women’s wrestling, but women’s wrestling boasts eight 2018 world podium finishers.

The trio of top-ranked wrestlers that’ll be in action in Sardinia are Suleyman ATLI (TUR), Fatih ERDIN (TUR), and Kim Hyeonwoo. Atli and Erdin are the No.1-ranked freestyle wrestlers at 57kg and 86kg, respectively, and Kim is ranked first in Greco-Roman at 77kg.

Freestyle

The freestyle entry list is littered with wrestlers who’ve reached the pinnacle of the sport on the world and Olympic stage, but with the tournament taking place in Italy, all eyes will be on Italian superstar Frank CHAMIZO.

Chamzio, Italy’s two-time world champion, is looking to follow up on his gold-medal performance from last month’s European Championships. In Bucharest, Chamizo went a perfect 4-0 and picked up his third continental title since transferring from Cuba back in 2013.

If the Cuban-born Italian can come out on top of the 74kg bracket, it’d be his second career Ranking Series title and first since defeating London Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) in the Yasar Dogu finals last year. More importantly, a podium finish for fourth-ranked Chamizo (56 points) would give him the upper hand on Burroughs for the world’s second-ranking heading into the fourth and final Ranking Series event, the Yasar Dogu.

For Chamizo to reach the podium this week, he’ll have to navigate through three world-class competitors. His most significant threats at 74kg are 2017 world runner-up Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS), three-time European champion Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and two-time world bronze medalist Yakup GOR (TUR).

Chamizo defeated both Tsabolov and Gor in their previous meetings and would be favored if they were to meet again this week. Chamizo beat Gor in Paris at the 2017 World Championships and pinned Tsabolov at the 2018 European Championships.

But, if Chamzio were to take on Demirtas, he’d be the underdog. Demirtas stunned Chamzio by scoring a late stepout in last year’s European semifinals before ultimately grabbing his third continental title.

Another massive storyline to follow at this weight is the placement of the Turkish wrestlers, Demirtas and Gor.

Demirtas has represented Turkey at five consecutive World Championships and the Rio Olympic Games, where he was a bronze medalist, but his streak is in jeopardy. Gor, who bumped up to 74kg last season, stole Demirtas' spot at this year's European Championships but fell to a disappointing nine-place finish.

It's not official, but my guess is the highest placing wrestler at this week's Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial will have the upper hand at getting a shot to be Turkey's 74kg representative at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus, in June.

Freestyle will also feature the Turkish pair of No.1-ranked wrestlers in Suleyman Atli and Fahti Erdin.

Atli, who sits atop of the world rankings at 57kg, will be making his debut as the world’s top-ranked wrestler after winning the European title last month in Bucharest, Romania.

Atli will be chased by Italy's Givi DAVIDOVI. The Italian is the only other ranked wrestler competing at 57kg. Davidovi, who has 16 Ranking Series points, is ranked 18th coming into the Sassari, but a win would catapult him up the rankings to the eighth spot behind world fifth-place finisher Thomas GILMAN (USA).

Both wrestlers would hold 32 points, but Gilman would hold criteria because of his placement at last year's World Championships.

Fatih Erdin is Turkey’s second No.1-ranked wrestler.

Erdin holds a four-point advantage over returning world champion David TAYLOR (USA) and would have 100 if he were to win a the Sassari. If he’s able to win the gold medal this week, Erdin could lock up the No. 1 seed at 86kg at the World Championships. Erdin would have a 20 point advantage over the American, and the most points Taylor would be able to earn with a Yargar Dogu title (in a weight with 20+ entries) would be 18 points.

But, Erdin, who has fallen short in two Ranking Series gold-medal matches, will have a steep road to win his first Ranking Series title. The route will go through reigning European champion Vladislav VALIEV (RUS) or Olympic runner-up Selim YASAR (TUR).

Valiev, who won the 86kg European title, is ranked sixth in the world with 34 points. A podium finish for the Russian would bump him up into the third spot in next month’s rankings. If Valiev moves into the third spot, he’d be pitted against reigning world champion David Taylor in the semifinals of the Nur-Sultan World Championships.

Selim Yasar is another wrestler at 86kg who is looking to dethrone top-ranked Erdin.

But, Yasar has struggled as of late. The three-time world and Olympic medalist finished outside of the top-10 once in his career (2013 Ali Aliev) before falling short of a top-10 finish in his last three tournament appearances. Yasar has placed 10th, 11th, and 14th at the Ivan Yariguin, Alexander Medved, and Dan Kolov, respectively.

Rio Olympic champion Soslan RAMONOV (RUS) will be making his international return for the first time since having back surgery in November. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Ramonov Returns to International Competition

Rio Olympic champion Soslan Ramonov will return to international competition for the first time since undergoing spinal surgery in early November to correct a back issue that has long troubled him.

Ramonov told United World Wrestling, “I’ve returned to the mat. I’m going to wrestle at the Russian National Championships and possibly the World Championships.” He also told UWW, “I expected to return to the mat in January, and hopefully enter a tournament at 65kg closer to the fall.” But, Ramonov isn't wrestling at 65kg just yet. This week in Sardinia, the Russian will wrestle up 5kg as 70kg with hopes of moving down to 65kg closer to July's Rusian Nationals.

For a healthy Ramonov to represent Russia in Nur-Sultan, he'll have to make a run in one of the countries deepest weight classes. The 65kg weight class in Russia houses returning 65kg world bronze medalist Akhmed Chakaev, returning two-time 61kg world runner-up Gazhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) and Yariguin runner-up Nachyin KUULAR.

Other Budapest World Medalist to Watch:
92kg - Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI)
125kg - Parviz HADIBASMANJ (IRI)

Greco-Roman

In Greco-Roman, Korea’s Olympic champion and No.1-ranked Kim Hyeonwoo tops the list of entries that features five returning Budapest world medalists.

Kim is one of the only wrestlers across all styles who’s medaled at the World and Continental Championships and the first two Ranking Series events.

Kim, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the world at 77kg, was last year’s world bronze medalist. The Korean tightened his stronghold on the rest of the Asian Greco-Roman competition at 77kg, winning his fifth continental title last month in Xi’an, China. He also owns a pair of Ranking Series bronze medals this season, finishing in third place at the Zagreb Open and Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hungary's Loaded Squad, Head-Scratcher at 87kg

Hungary, who elected to sit a majority of their first-teamers at the European Championships, is bringing a solid squad to Sardinia. Their team will feature 2018 world runner-ups Balint KORPASI and Tamas LORINCZ, U23 world champion Erik SZILVASSY, and two-time Ranking Series champion Viktor LORINCZ, among many others.

Korpasi and Tamas Lorincz are entered at 72kg and 77kg, respectively, but Szilvassy and Viktor Lorincz will both compete at 87kg.

Szilvassy and Lorincz being at the same weight leaves Hungary with a head-scratcher moving forward to the European Games and World Championships.

Szilvassy, who is coming off a bronze-medal finish at the European Championships, is ranked third in the world at 87kg. Szilvassy has an eight-point advantage over Viktor Lorincz, who’s currently ranked fifth with 36 points.

Although Szilvassy sits in front of Lorincz in the latest rankings, he fell to his fellow Hungarian teammate in the semifinals of the first two Ranking Series events, the Zagreb Open and Hungarian Grand Prix.

Women’s Wrestling

The headlining women’s wrestling weight class is 76kg. This weight will be home to Canada’s Rio Olympic champion Erica Wiebe, Russia’s London Olympic champion Natalia Vorobeva, and nine of the world’s top-20 ranked wrestlers. Maybe more impressive, six of those wrestlers sit inside the top-ten of United World Wrestling’s latest rankings.

The highest ranked wrestler is Germany’s 2017 world runner-up Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER). Rotter Focken is ranked fourth with 56 points and is coming off bronze-medal finishes at the European Championships, Dan Kolov, and the Ivan Yariguin.

Kazakhstan’s Elmira SYZDYKOVA is ranked fifth with 42 points after bronze-medalist finishes at the Dan Kolov and Ivan Yariguin.

Olympic champion Erica Wiebe, who was a bronze medalist at last year's Budapest World Championships, fell to No. 1-ranked Adeline GRAY (USA) in the Pan-American Championships but fought back for a bronze medal. The Canadian is ranked sixth in the world with 39 points.

Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) enters the Sassari as the seventh-ranked wrestler with 36 points. Nemeth is coming off a bronze-medal finish at the European Championships. Her continental third-place finish came month's after she was injured in the bronze-medal bout in the World Championships and had to settle for fifth place in front of her home crowd.

Estonia’s Epp MAE and Norway’s Iselin SOLHEIM round out the top-10, where they’re ranked eighth and tenth, respectively.

Top-20 Ranked Wrestlers at 76kg
No. 4 Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER)
No. 5 Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)
No. 6 Erica WIEBE (CAN)
No. 7 Zsanett NEMETH (HUN)
No. 8 Epp MAE (EST)
No. 10 Iselin Maria Moen SOLHEIM (NOR)
No. 15 Genesis Rosangela REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)
No. 19 Vasilisa MARZALIUK
No. 20 Eunju HWANG (KOR)

Barka and Dhanda to Compete at 57kg

At 57kg, world bronze medalists Emese BARKA (HUN) and Pooja DHANDA (IND) have entered their name into the Sassari. Barka comes into this week ranked fifth in the world at 57kg a month removed from winning the European title with a 4-2 win over Tetyana KIT (UKR).

Dhanda’s ranked just behind Barka in the sixth spot and has 37 points after her fifth-place finish at the Asian Championships. The Indian wrestler fell to returning world champion and No. 1- ranked RONG Ningning (CHN) in the semifinals, then dropped her match against eighth-ranked SUKHEE Tserenchimed (MGL) in the bronze-medal bout.

Though they’re not returning world medalists, two other dangerous wrestlers to keep an eye on at 57kg are U23 world champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) and 2017 world finalist Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR).

Bullen’s ranked third in the world with 58 points, and Adekuoroye is ranked fourth with 46 points.

Mensah Looking for Third Ranking Series Title of the Year

Tamyra MENSAH (USA) heads into the third Ranking Series event of year undefeated, having won gold medals at the Ivan Yariguin, the Dan Kolov and the Pan-American Championships. Her pair of Ranking Series titles and continental gold medal came after she claimed a bronze medal at last year’s World Championships. She’s the second-ranked wrestler in the world at 68kg with 59 points.

For Mensah to win her third consecutive Ranking Series gold of the year, she’ll have to stop Canada’s title-contender Danielle LAPPAGE.

Lappage, last year’s world runner-up at 65kg, will be bumping up to 68kg for the second time since her run to the world finals last year. She also competed at the Grand Prix of Germany, where she finished with a silver medal.

Trio of Other Olympic Medalists Competing

Outside of the duo of Olympic champions competing at 76kg, three other Olympic medalists will be in action. They are Marwa AMRI (TUN), Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), and Sofia MATTSSON (SWE).

Amri, who is ranked No. 12 in the world, will compete at 62kg. The Tunisian is coming off winning her tenth African title.

Fransson, the No.13-ranked wrestler at 68kg, just finished with a bronze medal at the European Championships, But, Fransson will be bumping up and competing at 72kg.

Mattsson, the tenth-ranked wrestler in the world, will be competing at 55kg.

The Comeback of Koumba Larroque

Koumba LARROQUE, France’s four-time age-group world champion, and two-time senior level world medalist, will make her return to the mat for the first time since falling in the Budapest World finals to Ukraine’s Alla CHERKASOVA. Larroque was leading the 68kg gold-medal bout 6-0 before falling into a leg lace that tore ligaments in her knee, forcing her to have surgery and sit out the last six months.

Larroque will compete at 72kg, where she’s ranked No. 5 in the world with 40 points.

Other Budapest World Medalist to Watch:
53kg - Diana WEICKER (CAN)
62kg - Mallory VELTE (USA)

The three-day Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial, which starts on May 23, will begin with Greco-Roman. Women's wrestling takes over on the second day, and freestyle closes out the tournament on May 25. All the action can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Preview, Novi Sad

Friday, October 17, 2025 - 08:52 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 16) -- The eighth edition of the U23 World Championships will kick off in Novi Sad, Serbia on October 20 with 700 wrestlers competing in the eighth-day tournament.

Over the years, the U23 World Championships has grown into one of the most competitive tournaments for United World Wrestling. The Novi Sad edition will be no different.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

Two Paris Olympic champions, multiple Zagreb World Championships medalists and a hosts of age-group world champions are headed to the Serbian city with an aim to win at the final World Championships of the 2025 season.

Women's Wrestling

The women's spotlight in Novi Sad, Serbia, will shine brightest on two of Japan's Paris Olympic gold medalists, who have different objectives besides just adding another title to their long list of laurels.

For Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), the tournament will mark her international debut and first major test at 57kg after making the move up from 53kg, where she won senior world titles in 2021 and 2023. Compatriot Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) will be aiming for a victory at 62kg that would earn her a place in one of wrestling's most unique groups.

Motoki is the lone champion and one of four medalists from last month's senior worlds in Zagreb, Croatia, who will be taking the mat in Novi Sad. With a victory, she would join Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA) as the lone members of the “Golden Grand Slam” club for those with gold medals on the Olympic, senior world and all three world age-group levels.

The other medalists from Zagreb are Nesrin BAS (TUR), who finished second at 72kg but has moved down to 68kg, and bronze medalists Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) at 72kg and Kylie WELKER (USA) at 76kg.

Bas will also be aiming to improve on the silver medal that she took home from last year's U23 worlds in Tirana, Albania. A total of 12 medalists are returning, including reigning 62kg champion Irina BONDAR (UKR) and Welker, who won the 72kg title in 2024.

Here's a look at the ones to watch in each weight class:

50kg: With nemesis Umi ITO (JPN) sitting out, Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) looks primed to finally make it to the top of the podium after finishing second four times on the age-group level, most recently at the World U20 Championships two months ago in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Jimenez lost to Ito in the finals at both the 2023 world U23 and 2022 world U20. She also finished second at the world U20 in 2023.

Japan will be represented by Minoriho YONEHARA (JPN), a recent Shigakkan University graduate and relatively global newcomer who finished second to Ito at the Japan Queen’s Cup, the Japanese qualifier for Novi Sad.

Others to watch will be European U23 champion and last year’s silver medalist Natalia PUDOVA (UWW); and Munkhgerel MUNKHBAT (MGL), who already has two world age-group medals.

53kg: European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), a bronze medalist two years ago at 50kg, and returning silver medalist Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN) head a wide-open field in this division.

Haruna MORIKAWA (JPN), the 2024 world U20 silver medalist, won out at the Japan Queen's Cup that saw the fall of defending world U23 champion Yu SAKAMOTO (JPN) and can’t be overlooked.

Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) won Asian bronze medals this year on both the senior and U23 levels, and will be aiming for her first world medal in 11 appearances on all levels. Her best finish was fifth at the 2023 U23 worlds.

Also expected to be in the mix are Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR), a bronze medalist last year at 50kg; two-time European U23 bronze medalist Viktoriya VOLK (UWW); and European U23 silver medalist Ekaterina KARPUSHKINA (UWW).

55kg: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) may still be feeling the sting of missing out on the senior worlds after losing out at 53kg to Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), who went on to win the gold. So expect little mercy for her opponents as she aims for a second career world U23 gold.

Last year, Kiyooka joined the basic Grand Slam club by winning the senior gold at 55kg, to go with her U17 (2019) and U20 and U23 (2022) titles. She has looked vulnerable of late, having lost in the senior Asian final to Hyongyong CHOE (PRK), but should not encounter too much trouble at this level.

The main opposition should come from European U23 champion Tuba DEMIR (TUR), who has a pair of world U20 bronzes to her credit from 2022 and 2024; Asian U23 silver medalist Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ), a senior Asian bronze medalist in 2024; and 2024 world U20 champion Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA).

57kg: Can anyone stop the Fujinami juggernaut? The best of the rest appears to be Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) and Neha SHARMA (IND).

Khomenets has won the majority of her laurels at 55kg, where she took a bronze medal at the European Championships this year and was the 2022 silver medalist and 2021 bronze medalist at the senior worlds. She also was a world U23 and U20 bronze medalist last year.

Sharma, this year's Asian U20 champion and U23 silver medalist, was a bronze medalist at last year's U23 worlds, a year after taking the silver at 55kg. She also finished fifth in 2023 at 55kg at the senior worlds.

Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a bronze medalist at this year's Budapest Ranking Series, won bronzes at both the senior Asian and Asian U23 in 2023, and was the world U20 champion in 2021. She holds the distinction of being the lone entry to have already faced Fujinami. They clashed in the second round at the 2018 U17 Asians, which Fujinami won by fall in 1:09.

59kg: Ruka NATAMI (JPN), who already has world U17 and U20 titles under her belt, will be aiming to add the U23 crown after having to settle for the silver last year at 57kg.

Natami can hold her own on the senior level, as she showed by winning at the Bucharest tournament in August, but just can't seem to break through and make the Japan squad to the big events. She relies on a power game that makes her dangerous in any situation, regardless of the score.

The field includes this year's U20 World Championships bronze medalist Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) who also won both the European U20 and U23 golds this year, as well as the Zagreb Ranking Series.

Also expected to make a challenge are 2023 senior world and European bronze medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR); and two-time Asian U23 bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB), who also has senior bronze medals from both the Asian Games and Asian Championships in 2023 at 57kg.

62kg: Motoki can expect to face legitimate threats in her historic quest for glory from reigning champion Bondar and young phenom SAVITA (IND).

Bondar, who also won the world U20 gold last year, captured both the senior and U23 European titles this year. She will be aiming to medal for the fourth straight year in Novi Sad, having also won silver medals in 2022 and 2023.

Savita is returning to the international stage after a two-year absence, where she hopes to restart a remarkable run of success. After winning both the world and Asian U17 titles in 2022, she repeated the feats in 2023 -- and added both the world and Asian U20 golds for good measure.

Others to watch are two-time world U23 bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR); and world U20 bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB), who also won her third straight Asian U20 bronze this year.

Kolawole faced Motoki in the quarterfinals at the senior worlds, with the Japanese coming away with a victory by fall. The Nigerian went on to place fifth.

65kg: Representing Japan in a thin field will be Nana IKEHATA (JPN), whose international resume may be slim but sports only gold -- the world U20 title last year to go with past triumphs at Asian U15 and U20.

Among the top challengers are Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (UWW), the 2023 world U20 silver medalist at 68kg who placed third in two Ranking Series events this year, and European U20 champion Beyza AKKUS (TUR), who might be relishing a chance to avenge her loss to Ikehata from the 2024 world U20 final.

Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), this year's world U20 silver medalist and European U20 champion, could also make waves, as well as Eniko ELEKES (HUN), this year's European U23 silver medalist and the 2023 world U20 champion at 62kg, and PULKIT (IND), the 2024 world U17 champion.

68kg: Bas will be aiming to regain the title that she won twice before, in 2022 and 2023, prior to losing in last year's final to Ami ISHII (JPN). Ishii, the world champion in Zagreb, will not be returning to defend her title, although she earned the right by winning the Japan qualifier.

Bas won the European U23 gold earlier this year, then moved up to 72kg and placed second at both the senior European and World Championships. She also has two world U20 bronzes from 2021 and 2022, and qualified for and competed at the Paris Olympics at 62kg.

Looking to deny the Turk will be world U20 silver medalist and SRISHTI (IND), who finished second at the U20 worlds at 68kg, adding to a bronze from 2024.

Also expected to be competitive are Alina SHEVCHENKO (UWW), the 2024 world and European U20 champion; two-time former world U23 bronze medalist Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR); and Viktoriya RADZKOVA (UWW), a world U23 bronze medalist a year ago at 72kg.

In Ishii's absence, Japan will send one of its most inexperienced competitors in Seia MOCHINAGA (JPN), who placed ninth at last year's U20 Worlds.

72kg: Last year's champion Welker has moved up to 76kg, opening the door for a potential showdown between senior world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) and 2024 senior Asian 65kg gold medalist Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN).

Nurtaeva, the 2022 world U20 silver medalist at 68kg, won a second straight Asian U23 title this year, and also has a silver medal from the 2023 Asian Games. For Yoshitake, this will be her first international foray at 72kg. She was the 2022 world U20 champion at 65kg.

Others to watch are Vianne ROULEAU (CAN), the losing finalist to Welker last year; Kristina BRATCHINKOVA (UWW), a bronze medalist at this year's U20 worlds; 2024 world U20 champion Jasmine ROBINSON (USA); and Yuqi LIU (CHN), who won a second straight world U20 silver this year, as well as a senior Asian silver.

76kg: Welker appears to be the one to beat in this division, although PRIYA (IND) and Elmira YASIN (TUR) can be expected to give her a run for her money.

Welker's list of laurels include winning a second straight senior world bronze in Zagreb as she moved back up to 76kg after spending most of 2024 at 72kg. She also won a first Pan Am gold in May. In 2021, she won the world U20 gold and a world U23 bronze.

Priya, the 2023 world U20 gold medalist and two-time world U17 champion, has had a busy year, highlighted by a silver medal at the U20 worlds. She also won the Asian U23 title, placed second at the Budapest Ranking Series, and finished fifth at the Zagreb senior worlds.

Yasin, a 2023 world U17 and 2024 world U20 bronze medalist, won the European U23 gold this year, although she relinquished the European U20 title that she won in 2024 and had to settle for a bronze.

Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW), a returning bronze medalist who took the silver at the Zagreb Ranking Series, will be a big test as well.

Freestyle

There is no dearth of big names in Freestyle as well. World champion Aoyagi will be making his 74kg debut internationally, just a month after winning 70kg gold in Zagreb. He will be joined by a few other world medalists in Levi HAINES (USA) at 79kg, Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg and Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) at 97kg.

Aoyagi will be hoping to get good results before he challenges the strong domestic field in the weight class at the All-Japan Championships in December.

Here's a look at the storylines in all the 10 weight classes:

57kg: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) will begin as the favorite with wrestlers from Iran, India and UWW as his main challengers. The U.S. wrestler has age-group world titles to his names but will be at his first U23 Worlds and is part of the formidable Penn State group heading to Novi Sad.

Lilledahl's quick attacks have troubled his opponents in the past but it will be a question of if he can break the defense of some experienced wrestlers.

Recent U20 world silver medalist Sumit MALIK (IND) will try to win a second straight medal at a World Championships. Malik's pace on the mat makes him stand out in the competition. Iran will be sending Asian silver medalist Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) who will try to win his first world medal. Aiandai ONDAR (UWW) and Yuta KIKUCHI (JPN) will be the dark horses of this weight class.

61kg: He was agonizingly close to winning a medal at the senior World Championships but Jax FORREST (USA) was denied in Zagreb. He will try to make up for that loss with a run in Novi Sad. The high-schooler has a bronze at U20 Worlds but after his performance in Zagreb, a medal in Novi Sad seems highly likely.

While gold will be in Forrest's sights, there will challenges from former U17 world champion Fedor BALTUEV (UWW) who is returning to international competition after four years, U23 Asian silver medalist Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) and 2024 U17 world champion Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ).

65kg: In one of the toughest weight classes at the U23 level, world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), two-time world U20 champion Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN), world U20 champion Marcus BLAZE (USA), two-time world U23 champion Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW), returning medalist Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) and senior continental medalists Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) and SUJEET (IND) are in the field.

Jalolov, who struggled with form since 2022, has tried his luck at the U23 World Championships before but without any success. However, if he can replicate his run from Zagreb, Jalolov has the chance to change that. He managed to beat two-time U23 world champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) in the bronze medal bout.

There are several names which can stop Jalolov. Nishuchi will be one of them as he returns to the international scene after two years and first time at 65kg. He has titles at 57kg and 61kg and this will be a big test for him. Another wrestler moving up to 65kg is Magomedov who won his titles at 61kg. He will be trying to win another gold medal in a tougher weight class.

Blaze, who has only lost one bout in international career, will be among the favorites as well. He will be coming off his incredible performance at the U20 Worlds in which he won gold at 61kg. Sujeet impressed at his senior World Championships debut but failed to return with a medal.

70kg: PJ DUKE (USA) will look to complete the U20 and U23 world double as well. He had a good run in Zagreb before running out of steam. He will face competition from former U20 world champion Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), talented Iran wrestler Sina KHALILI (IRI), Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA), who Duke defeated in the final at the U20 Worlds.

While he seems ahead of everyone else in the field, Heybatov can trouble him with his crafty wrestling. Khalili will try to get those underhooks going while Gaidarli will look to avenge that loss from Samakov.

74kg: Can Aoyagi impress at international level in a new weight class? The question will soon be answered. Aoyagi's strength and stamina will be tested as he moves up from 70kg to 74kg.

There are established names like U23 world champion Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) who is also moving up to 74kg. U20 European champion Manuel WAGIN (GER), former U20 world champions Reza SHAKERI (IRI), Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) and Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW).

Khaniev won gold at 70kg but added a silver in Budapest at 74kg, losing to the now world champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) in the final. There is no doubt he will be favorite again along with Aoyagi.

Baitukaev will be strongly tested at the new weight classes in which he is yet to perform internationally. He has silver and bronze medals at the U20 Worlds from 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Another star will be Mesenbrink, who lost to Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) last year, with hopes of winning a world title again. Mesenbrink has all the skills to make the run to the title but will be tested by the strong bracket.

79kg: Levi HAINES (USA) surprised most with a silver medalist finish in Zagreb but there will be no surprise if he wins gold in Novi Sad. His main competitor will be U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI). While Haines is a solid wrestler, Yousefi can counter and score points when needed to keep the upper hand. If the two don't meet before the final, both Haines and Yousefi will leave it all on the mat to win the title.

Farid JABBAROV (AZE) and CHANDERMOHAN (IND) will look to finish on the podium as well.

86kg: An injury to his knee in Zagreb meant that Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) would return home without a medal. But the former U20 world champion will be going for his fourth U23 World Championships. He has never won a medal previously at this tournament but has the skills to finish on top.

World U20 silver medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) will be one of the biggest names to stop him. If Rahmani can work on his conditioning, the Iranian can land a gold medal for his country. The U.S. is sending Rocco WELSH (USA) while Arsen BALAIAN (UWW) and Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) will look to stop the two in Novi Sad.

92kg: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gave Uzbekistan a gold medal at the U20 World Championships in Samokov but the U23 level will be a little more challenging. The likes of Mobin AZIMI (IRI), Joshua BARR (USA) and Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW) are all skilled enough to claim the gold medal.

Azimi is one of the most talented wrestlers out there and after a brief stint at 97kg, Azimi will look to win another world title at 92kg. Barr is one of the strongest wrestlers at this weight class while U23 European champion Khaniev will look to add a world title to his name.

97kg: Two young stars Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) will lock horns at 97kg for a chance to win gold. Aitmukhan, a senior world champion at 92kg, did not win a medal in Zagreb but Yoshida, an Asian champion, won bronze. However, the two are equally matched and a thriller is on the cards if the two meet in Novi Sad.

Yoshida's conditioning may just give him an upper hand if he meets Aitmukhan on the mat. A medal in this weight class will be historic for Japan as the highest weight class it has won a medal at U23 Worlds history is at 86kg.

VICKY (IND), Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) and Soslan DZHAGAEV (UWW) can finish on the podium as well but upsetting either of Yoshida or Aitmukhan will be an uphill task.

125kg: For the last five years, Iran has dominated this weight class especially with Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). But with Masoumi not entered anymore, the competition has been thrown wide open. U20 world silver medalist Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) will be a big favorite to win but so will be Khetag KARSANOV (AZE), U23 European champion Georgi IVANOV (BUL) and Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (UWW).

Greco-Roman

As if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) dominance at the age-group level was not enough, Iran will be bringing senior world champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) to the U23 World Championships.

Iran has been on an incredible run this year, winning team titles at U17, U20 and senior World Championships. Now, it will be the favorite to win the team title at the U23 Worlds as well.

But there will be names which can threaten to deny Iran in all weight classes. Here's a look at the 10 weight categories in Novi Sad:

55kg: Iran's young star and U17 world champion Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI), 18, will be leading the charge but how he adjusts to wrestlers who are way senior to him will be challenging. U23 Asian champion Yerassyl MAMYRBEKOV (KAZ) and U23 European champion Alibek AMIROV (UWW) will start as favorites in this weight class.

It also includes Zagreb Open champion and age-group world medalist Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) and experienced Denis MIHAI (ROU), who will be looking to add to his collection of medals.

60kg: Both the European and Asian U23 champions are entered at 60kg. Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) won the European title while Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) won in Asia. Both will look to add world medals to their names but it won't be easy. Former U20 world champion Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) and U23 European silver medalist Melkamu FETENE (ISR) are entered among others.

Japan's impressive wrestler Koto GOMI (JPN) and another of Uzbekistan's prodigy Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB) will be the dark horses of the competition.

63kg: World bronze medalist and U23 European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) will be looking for an U23 world medal to close out his incredible 2025 season. Given his stunning performance at the senior Worlds, he will start as the favorite in this weight class.

Silver to Eriomenco in U23 Euros and former champion Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) will be the Moldovan's big test at 63kg. Dordzhi SHUNGURTSIKOV (UWW), 2024 U20 European silver medalist, and U23 Asian silver medalist Khusniddin OLIMBOEV (UZB) will also be tough matches for any wrestler.

67kg: A phenom at the age-group World Championships, former U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) will be a favorite at U23 level as well. He also made his senior debut this year at Zagreb Open but finished fifth.

He will face stiff competition from senior world bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (UWW) who was impressive in Zagreb, an experience he will be keen to use in Novi Sad.

Other challengers include U20 World bronze medalist Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), U23 European champion Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) and U23 Asian champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ).

72kg: U20 world champion Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) will be making his U23 debut at the World Championships which will be a different kind of challenge. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), European U23 champion, will be one of the biggest challengers along with U20 European champion Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and former Asian champion Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI).

77kg: European 72kg champion Levente LEVAI (HUN) has risen quickly through the ranks, winning the Zagreb Open gold along with the European gold. But he moved up to 77kg Budapest and won the bronze medal. He will continue his journey at 77kg in Novi Sad and look to win the title for Hungary.

Trying to stop him will be U20 Asian champion Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) and also European bronze medalist Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), who is also a two-time finalist at the U20 World Championships.

82kg: Former U23 world champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) will be making another run for the gold medal, this year at 82kg. He failed to win a medal at the senior World Championships in Zagreb at 77kg. However, the 82kg weight class will present its own challenges.

Age-group star and former European champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) will be returning from injury and look to win his first U23 world title. Berber has won the U17 and U20 world titles but has silver at the U23 level.

Returning silver medalist Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will also be in the mix and so will Gamzat GADZHIEV (UWW) and Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB).

87kg: World champion at 82kg Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) moves up to 87kg as Iran continues to churn out top level Greco wrestlers. Can Farokhi adjust to the new weight class? That will be a big question in a weight class that also has former age-group world champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and Deni NAKAEV (GER), U23 European silver medalist Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE ((FRA) and U23 Asian champion Maksat SAILAU (KAZ).

97kg: Two-time U20 world champion Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) will be going for his first world title at U23 level. He will have his nemesis Darius KIEFER (GER) in Novi Sad along with Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), who Yakushenko defeated in the final at the U20 Worlds.

Former U20 world champion and world bronze medalist Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (UWW) finished with a silver medal last year but will look to disturb the aforementioned trio to win gold.

Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ) has made the U23 Asian gold his own, winning it three times but has no medals at the Worlds. He will look to add one to his name and so would Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ), a senior Asian silver medalist.

130kg: Defending champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) is well clear of the field which has been made competitive with the entries of Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), a U20 world champion, age-group world champion Cemal BAKIR (TUR), former U20 world champ Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR), who won that gold in 2022 by beating Hedayati in the final.

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U23 World Championships 2025 Preview, Novi Sad