#worldcupiowacity

Six Must Watch World Cup Pool Match-Ups

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 - 16:29 By Eric Olanowski

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Taking an in-depth look at six of the best World Cup pool match-ups. These are potential matches-ups and are subject to change as different nations have more than one wrestler per weight class. 

1. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) v. Thomas GILMAN (USA) (57kg) 

The United States and Japan will meet in session two of the World Cup and the dual will be kick-started by a rematch of the 57kg 2017 World Championships gold medal bout between Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and Thomas GILMAN (USA).

In the world finals, Takahashi captured his first world title by using three two-point moves to win the bout, 6-0. If Gilman expects a different result, he's going to have to do two things. First, close the distance on his shots. Takahashi used the distance of Gilman shot selection to pick up all of his takedowns in that finals bout.

Second, Gilman needs to eliminate emotion but also use the hometown crowd in his favor. The former Hawkeye wrestled for the University of Iowa and will be making his return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the first time since competing for the black and gold.

2. No.1 GANZORIG Mandakhnaran (MGL) v. No.5 Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) (74kg) 
This session one match-up is a rematch of the 74kg Asian Championships semifinals. In that match, Ganzorig bolted out to a 4-0 lead but began to fade near the two-minute mark. Kaisanov, who’d been unsuccessful in getting to his left side swing single finally picked up his first takedown as the clock neared the one-minute mark. After an immediate low-level gut on the right side, Kaisanov tied the match, 4-4.

With 45 second left, Ganzorig established position with an underhook on the ride side and pulled the Kazak into a double leg, driving him to his back to take the 8-4 lead. This would be the match determining takedown as Ganzorig defeated Kaisanov, 8-6.

Photo: Three-time world champion, Haji ALIYEV (AZE). 

3. Haji ALIYEV (AZE) v. Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB) (65kg)
Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier will be welcomed to his third World Cup by three-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Haji Aliyev.

Aliyev, who is known for being one of the most technically sound wrestlers in the world will have to be comfortable wrestling in close quarters as most of Vales Tobier's comes from an underhook. If Aliyev happens to give up a takedown, he has to be aware that Vales Tobier will be looking to get to his high gut on the left side.

The key for Vales Tobier to come out on top of this match is to eliminate hesitation. His dominant position is his over/under and can not hesitate when he established his position.

Photo: World bronze medalist, Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE). 

4. No.1 LUVSANDORJ Turtogtokh (MGL) v. Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) (92kg)
In his sixth World Cup appearance, world bronze medalist Aslanbek Alborov will have the opportunity to wrestle current world No. 1, Luvsandorj Turtogtokh (MGL). 

The biggest question for the Mongolian is how is he going to adjust to Alborov's unconventional left side head outside single?

The reason Alborov's single gives his opponents issues is that he uses his right hand as a decoy to roll his head outside for his single leg. For Mongolia to pick up a win here, it's going to take two things. Luvsandorj will have to place high importance on controlling the left hand, and he'll have to keep the Azeris head on the inside of his right hip. Alborov strives when his head slips to the outside where he's able to come to his feet and double off.  

Photo: No.11 Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN). 

5. No.11 Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) v. J'den COX (USA) (92kg)
This match could go a few ways as both guys are incredibly light on their feet, but both also slow down immensely when they fall into tie-ups.

For Cox to knock off the No.11 ranked wrestler in the world, he has to finish his shots with urgency. Historically, Ishiguro has struggled with quick finishers. 

Cox finds closure in dictating the pace of his matches. He's most comfortable in relying on his defense in close matches, and Ishiguro cannot allow that to happen if he wants to beat the world and Olympic bronze medalist. 

Photo: Junior world champion Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE). 

6. Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) v. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) (97kg)
If I'm on the Cuban coaching staff, I'm tying Reineris Salas Perez' elbows to his hip before he wrestles Nurmagomed Gadzhiyev. The junior world champions right side ear-to-ear set up for his arm-drag is something that has to be addressed before the explosive Cuban steps on the mat! 

Salas Perez, known for his patient, laid back and calculated style of wrestling must roll his head to get left ear-to-ear to negate that arm-drag of Gadzhiyev.

To beat the Cuban Olympian, Gadshiyev is going to have to compete six total minutes. For the Azeri, it's important to understand that Salas can put points on the board in a heartbeat, so no lead is safe. 

#WrestleTirana

European Championships 2026 Women's Wrestling Preview

Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 15:12 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 16) -- Six 2025 champions will look to defend their gold medal in Women's Wrestling at the European Championships starting next week. But the tournament will also see a return of a few veteran stars in Tirana.

Among the returning champions will be Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), who ended a 24-year wait for Greece to have European champion in Women's Wrestling, now going for her second title at 53kg.

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Just as is the case globally, there’s no shortage of depth in the 53kg weight class in Europe and a number of wrestlers can upset the Greek wrestler.

Two former champions, Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (UWW), are returning to the continental championships for the first time since 2024. The two met in the final at the 2024 edition with the latter winning the gold medal.

Tirana will also mark the return of prodigious talent Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), a former U17 world and U20 European champion. She will be among the many Ukrainians favorites to win gold in their respective categories.

Apart from the four, Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), Gerda TEREK (HUN) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) are also in contention to finish on the podium.

Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), right, will look to defend her 76kg title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Strong Ukraine Squad
Ukraine have won the women’s team title in each of the last three editions and are set to defend it, thanks to a strong squad heading to Tirana. Oksana LIVACH (UKR) at 50kg and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg will look to repeat as champions while U20 world champion Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) will make her senior debut at 72kg.

Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) at 57kg and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) at 59kg have good chances to finish on the top of the podium as well.

Livach will be the favorite at 50kg despite the likes of returning silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR), U23 European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), returning bronze medalist Natallia VARAKINA (UWW) and rising star Svenja JUNGO (SUI).

Alpyeyeva stunned the wrestling world by winning the 76kg gold medal last year by beating Yasemin ADAR (TUR) in the final. While both bronze medalists from 2025, Martina KUENZ (AUT) and Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (UWW) are returning, it’s U23 world silver medalist Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) who likely to be the biggest challenger to Alpyeyeva.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is hoping to return to the top of the podium at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time Olympic medalist and former European champion Koliadenko will lead the charge at 65kg. After being denied last year by Irina RINGACI (MDA) in the semifinals, Koliadenko will be looking to bounce back and add to her previous three European gold medals.

While the absence of Ringaci and last year's champion Grace BULLEN (NOR), who has moved to 62kg should make things easier, Koliadenko still has some tricky opponents in Tirana. World silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) should be the biggest challenger for Koliadenko.

Greco-trained Sokolovska, who won the U20 world title at 76kg, will be at 72kg replacing European and world champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) this year. In a stacked weight class, she will be challenged by Olympic medalist and former European champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), who moved down to 68kg last year and finished with a bronze medal. But she is back to 72kg, switching spots with Nesrin BAS (TUR), 2025 silver at 72kg, who is now at 68kg.

U23 European champion Viktoryia RADZKOVA (UWW) will be another tough competitor for Sokolovska along with world medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL).

Nesrin BAS (TUR)Nesrin BAS (TUR) will present her challenge at 68kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Bas' Golden Chance 
Bas at 68kg will be keen on claiming the top position in European after falling short at the continental and world level last year. She lost finals at 72kg at both the competitions in 2025.

Bas, a three-time U23 world champion, will face returning champion Alina SHAUCHUK (UWW) who recently won the U23 European gold. Shauchuk has been rising quickly through the ranks and she defeated Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) in the final last year to stun the Bratislava crowd. 

Shauchuk should be ready for a tougher outing as Bas brings more skill set and Zelenykh will be keen on revenge. Former U23 European champion Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will be the dark horse.

Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW)Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) is the defending champion at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Verbina Eyes Second Straight Gold
Defending champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW), also a world silver medalist, could have had a smooth sailing to the gold medal but the entry of former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) just added to the challenge of defending the title. While these two go in as favorites, keep an eye out for Tuba DEMIR (TUR) who has the potential to go deep into this bracket as well.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) is eyeing her fifth European gold medal in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bullen Favorite at 62kg
Grace BULLEN (NOR) spent most of 2025, a year after the Olympics, at 65kg in which she also won gold at the European Championships. But the four-time champion is returning to 62kg and will be the favorite at the weight class to win her fifth title to go with her two silver medals.

Bullen defeated Ringaci in a memorable final last year, but she should have less trouble winning gold this year. U23 European champion Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) should be her biggest threat along with former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), and former U23 world and European champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN).

Returning silver medalist Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), who has notched up a series of good results recently, will also be looking to return to the final and challenge Bullen.

With defending champion at 57kg Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) giving the European Championships a miss, returning silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) has the chance to improve the color of her medal. Among other contenders are returning bronze medalists Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Solomiia VYNYYK (UKR). Former U20 European champion and U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will also be looking to at least finish on the podium for Norway.

Another returning silver medalist from Turkiye hoping to upgrade her medal is Bediha GUN (TUR), who lost to Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) last year in the final at 59kg.

Sidelnikova’s absence will make things only slightly easier for Gun in Tirana but world silver medalist Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) is expected to pose a serious threat as she chases her first-ever European medal.

Finalists from February’s U23 European Championships, Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) and Marta HETMANAVA (UWW) are also entered and it won’t be a shock if the two make the final. Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), silver medalist at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February, will be among the contenders as well.