#UWWAwards2022

Sharshenbekov secures UWW’s Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award

Friday, December 30, 2022 - 18:47 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 30) -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) has secured United World Wrestling’s 2022 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award.

Sharshenbekov reached the World Championships finals two times prior to his appearance in the 2022 finals, but this year, he broke the final barrier and won the gold medal in Belgrade.

Wrestling at 60kg, the Kyrgyzstan star defeated Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), 11-2, in two minutes and 30 seconds to seal a memorable world title.

Had it not been for compatriot Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg 48 hours before, Sharshenbekov would have been the first-ever male world champion for his country. Despite that, Sharshenbekov announced himself as a serious contender for the Paris Olympics.

The World Championships was not the only highlight of the year for Sharshenbekov.

He also won the Asian Championships in April over Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) to set the pace for the season.

The two championships gold medals and a bronze medal at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup Ranking Series, collectively, awarded Sharshenbekov 55000 ranking points, making him the top-ranked wrestler at the end of the year.

#WrestleBudapest

Grace Bullen Move: Outside Trip That Defines European Champ

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - 10:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 9) -- Grace BULLEN (NOR) lost the most important match of her career while attempting her trademark outside trip, trying to finish the bout with a fall. It came in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games semifinal against Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), who countered with a neck bridge, tossing Bullen over for the fall.

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Despite the mixed results the move has produced over the years, Bullen did not hesitate to use it in the 2026 European Championships final against Amina TANDELOVA (RUS). Trailing 9-0, Bullen hooked her left foot behind Tandelova's heel and brought her down for the fall.

Three months after their epic European 62kg final, Bullen and Tandelova will be at the Budapest Ranking Series from July 15 to 19, the last stop to gain ranking points before the World Championships.

They will be joined by a strong field that includes former world champion Qi ZHANG (CHN), world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), and European medalists Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR).

The field also includes Ana GODINEZ (CAN) and former U20 world champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN), who will have the backing of the home crowd. Two Indians, MANSI (IND) and SAVITA (IND), are also entered among others.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) performs the outside trip against Amina TANDELOVA (RUS) during the 62kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The same move also rescued Bullen at the Tirana Ranking Series, where she trailed Mansi before winning 6-5.

Speaking after winning European gold, Bullen acknowledged both the risk and the reward of the move.

"I know it's my go-to when I'm down, but I also lost in that situation, the same place," Bullen said. "I know how it is being on the receiving end, also being an attacker in that situation. But glad it worked out for me.

"It's more risky that way and just locking the leg and going forward it's much less risky, especially for me."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Grace Bullen (@gracebullen7)

 

A pivotal career decision saw Bullen relocate her training base to Georgia under coach Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI. Since moving to 62kg, she has won world and Olympic medals and established herself as one of the division's most dangerous wrestlers. The demanding training in Georgia and the move up in weight have transformed her wrestling and her mindset, even if the results have occasionally fluctuated.

"I'm also getting older," she said. "I have to be wise with how I train and so I keep my shape."

That experience has also made Bullen more patient than she was five years ago.

"I've years of experience in wrestling," she said. "I take losses with a greater smile than I ever did before. Just knowing that this year I was in two ranking series competitions and only won one match, I am more patient with everything. I know that even though I lose, I can win in the future."