#WrestleZagreb

Stadnik, 34, remains unbeaten in Europe

Thursday, April 20, 2023 - 19:09 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (April 20) --  The cornrow braids and the focused scowl on her face may be absent on Thursday but the 'endless will' to win is still present in Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

As the four-time Olympic medalist stepped on the mat in the Zagreb Arena for her European Championships gold medal bout against Oksana LIVACH (UKR), there was only one way the final could have ended. The 34-year-old wrestler posted a controlled win over Livach for her ninth European title, 14 years after she won her first title in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"I always have the motivation and will to win," Stadnik said. "I have had this will since early childhood, and this is endless."

The result was hardly a surprise given Stadnik came into the final on a 33-bout winning streak at the European Championships dating back to 2009. She extended that streak to 34 after winning the final 9-4.

Returning to the tournament after skipping the last edition, she won the title in 2008, '09, '11, '14 to '18, '21 and '23. In 2015, the European Championships were replaced by the European Games. However, that was not the case in 2019 when both tournaments were held.

With her career stretching over two decades, Stadnik has faced a wrestler from almost every European country. Livach was just one of them and like all others before her, she too fell to Stadnik's highly technical and counter-attacking wrestling.

 

Stadnik, who was born in Ukraine and has trained with Livach, opened the scoring with a counter on Livach's double-leg attack. She used her high gut wrench to score two more points and make it 4-0. The second time Livach tried a double-leg attack, Stadnik ducked and picked Livach's left leg for a takedown. She once again used the high gut wrench to score two more points and led 8-0 within two minutes of the bout. Livach cut the lead to 8-2 at the break when Stadnik was trying to reach her legs but Livach moved back and came behind to score a takedown.

The second period also witnessed Livach trying to attack but either her throws were slips or Stadnik would defend them with ease and happily engage in standing. Stadnik scored a pushout to make it 9-4 but she was clearly tired after five minutes of pacey wrestling. She tried to counter Livach's double-leg attempt like she did in the first period but had no energy to grab it with force. Livach scored a takedown but Stadnik was happy to be on the mat for the final 20 seconds even as Livach tried to get a lace going.

"We were training with Oksana back in Ukraine," she said. "She is like my little sister. Every year she gets stronger. We don’t train together anymore, but she has a very good perspective. Hopefully, she will make it to Paris [Olympics]."

A visibly relieved Stadnik did not celebrate like she did after winning the first European title but put a smile on her face as she walked back. It was a flashback to 2009 when she won her first title. Those days the flag celebration was not customary and Stadnik just walked off the mat with a smile on her face. However, she says that wrestling now is a habit.

"Honestly speaking, this tournament wasn’t much fun for me," she said after her final. "But the most important is the result. After the [Tokyo] Olympics, I had a little break. I was thinking if I should keep wrestling or retire because of age. I didn’t know if my physical shape would be okay or not. But as you can see I am still wrestling. I started  training in January, so I am not in my best shape."

With the exception of a short appearance at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey last year, Stadnik did not compete after the Tokyo Games. However, she made a comeback in February of this year at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series, where she won two matches before withdrawing.

The European Championships was her first top-level competition in a while and there is no denying that age has caught up. Even she agrees with the fact.

"When I was 18 years old, I had more excitement and motivation," she said. "Now it’s all kind of habitual to me, but I still don’t wanna lose."

Stadnik has had her share of heartbreaks as well. She lost two Olympics finals and is still trying to find a way to beat the world and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) who has a 4-0 record against her.

"I still have one year to think how to wrestle her. I’ll make it up," she said.

While she would previously stress about winning the Olympic gold, Stadnik's obsession with the top medal has toned down, especially after finishing with a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Games.

Five years later in Tokyo, a beaming Stadnik, with the bronze medal around her neck, looked at the medal and a photo of her family on her phone and said, "these are my medals."

StadnikMariya STADNIK (AZE) with her two kids -- Igor and Mia. (Photo: Mariya Stadnik)

Her two children, Igor and Mia, have been staying with Stadnik in Baku, Azerbaijan after they were forced to move out of their home in Ukraine due to the current situation. She, along with the kids, shifted to her father's house, 60 kilometers from Lviv before traveling to Baku.

Igor, 13, has been one of Stadnik's biggest supporters in recent times. A keen footballer, he tries his hand at wrestling. Mia, on the other hand, is a prolific gymnast and is actively practicing wrestling. The two even had the 'retirement talk' with their mother after the Tokyo Games.

"I remember I told them I would like to retire," she recalled. "When my son was little he kept telling me, 'Mom, please, don’t go away to the tournaments'. Now he says, 'Mum, you are so strong, don’t stop.' They are my biggest fans now. When they were little, they didn’t realize where I was always going away. But now they are my biggest fans."

Fuelled by the happiness of her children and the will to win again, Stadnik will aim to become the first wrestler to win five Olympic medals in Paris next year. She also wants to win another European title.

"I would love the national anthem to be played for the 10th time. Ten is a nice number," she said. "I would also like to say that I dedicate this win to my motherland - Ukraine."

At the medal ceremony in Zagreb, Stadnik clicked a selfie with other medal winners. She did not care if she had a bruised eye, a patent for Stadnik. Even her 10-year-old daughter knows it

"My daughter told me today, 'It wouldn’t have been you if you hadn’t got this makeup [the bruise].' They are happy."

Yasemin ADAR (TUR)Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won the European gold for the sixth time after beating Martina KUENZ (AUT) in Zagreb. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While Stadnik added to her record number, Yasemin ADAR (TUR) managed to equal the second-best record of six. Two-time Olympic silver medalist and five-time world champion Stanka ZLATEVA (BUL) also has six titles.

Adar defended her European title from Budapest with a tight, hard-fought 2-2 win over Martina KUENZ (AUT).

In what was the fifth meeting between the two, Adar scored a takedown in the first period and waited on that lead in the second. She was put on the activity clock and Kuenz scored a stepout during that time. With the score tied 2-2, Adar led on criteria owing to her takedown against Kuenz's one-point moves. Kuenz tried hard to break the criteria with 34 seconds left but Adar stood firm, winning her sixth European title.

This was the second time the two wrestlers met in the final of a European Championships as Adar had beaten Kuenz 6-1 in the 76kg final at the 2019 edition in Bucharest, Romania. Overall, Adar leads the head-to-head record 4-1.

After that final in Bucharest, Kuenz and Adar met at the 2019 Yasar Dogu. Kuenz led 5-0 when Adar threw her for a four and got the fall in that match. The two then met in the European Olympic Qualifiers in Budapest in 2021. Kuenz pinned Adar in the quarterfinals. The fourth meeting was at the World Olympic Qualifiers. In an all-important semifinal, Adar defeated Kuenz 10-1 to qualify for the Tokyo Games where she became Turkiye's first-ever female wrestler to win a medal.

Kuenz reflected on her performance in the final and said that her attacks in the first period were not confident.

"In the second period, I was more concentrated," Kuenz said. "In the first period, my attacks were confident. There are many situations, tactical, in which you think to attack or defend."

A new star rose to prominence a year before the Paris Olympics as Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) won her maiden European title after beating former European champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR), 10-3, in the 68kg final.

Yaneva began with a takedown using a single-leg attack. Belinska answered with exposure by holding on to Yaneva's arm and one leg to put her back on the mat. But the judges scored it two each for both wrestlers and a reversal for Belinska. That meant that Yaneva still had a 4-3 lead.

In the second period, both wrestlers were at it, going for leg attacks but no one was able to breach the defenses of the other. Halfway through the period, the referee called for neutral and that is when Belinska took a few extra seconds than Yaneva to return to the center, giving an impression that she was feeling the heat of the bout.

Yaneva sensed that and immediately scored a takedown to extend her lead to 6-3. Belinska tried her trademark whizzer twice but failed and Yaneva countered with a takedown. The final takedown came with 20 seconds left on the clock after which the former U20 world silver medalist celebrated her first European title.

The Bulgarian fell short of the gold in 2021 as she finished second at 72kg and won a bronze medal at the same weight last year.

Andreea ANA (ROU)Andreea ANA (ROU) won her second straight European title. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 55kg, Andreea Ana (ROU) asserted her dominance in the weight class by winning her second straight European title. In the final, she blanked Erika Bognar (HUN) 8-0.

Ana secured the first takedown for two points using a trip, while Bognar was on an activity clock, making it 3-0 for Ana as Bognar failed to score within the stipulated 30 seconds. She continued her aggressive wrestling in the second period, scoring a stepout in just over a minute to lead 4-0.

Bognar attempted a tame shot at Ana's legs, but the Romanian countered with a big double-leg for two points. Ana also got the turn using a locked leg to make it 8-0, leaving Bognar with no comebacks.

"I was in good shape and I win the competition. That's it," Ana said. "I am very happy."

Last year, the 23-year-old became Romania's first senior European champion in women's wrestling and managed to defend her title Thursday. Ana remains the only Romanian wrestler to win a world title in women's wrestling across all age groups. She won the U23 world gold in Belgrade in 2021.

Next year, she will attempt to become the first Olympic medalist in women's wrestling from Romania, if she manages to qualify for the Paris Games.

"For the World Championships, I will move down to 53kg," she said. "The competition is tough at 53kg but we will see."

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) gets a walkover in the 59kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Anastasia Nichita (MDA), the reigning world champion, secured the final gold medal of the night and claimed her third European championship title at 59kg. Her opponent, Yuliia Tkach (UKR), who had defeated Nichita in the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series in February, withdrew from the final, giving Nichita a walkover.

It is yet to be seen whether Nichita will move to 57kg or 62kg in a bid to qualify for her second Olympics. She participated in the Tokyo Games at 57kg.

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)Defending champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) reached the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

4 return to finals

In the women's wrestling semifinals on day four, last year's finalists dominated as four of them advanced to the finals in Zagreb on Friday.

At 53kg, Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) secured her spot in the final with a decisive victory via fall over Turkan NASIROVA (AZE). She will face off against Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN), who defeated the silver medalist from 2022, Maria PREVOLARKI (GRE), in a close match that ended 2-2. Orshush has beaten Malmgren before in a bout in Egypt earlier this year, and the Swede will be looking to avenge that loss in the final.

Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) made it to back-to-back finals. However, she won't be facing Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) like last year. That is because Hrushyna pinned Nikolova in the semifinals. She began the day with a fall against Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA), and will now face off against Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) in the final. Aliyeva defeated Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) in the semifinals with a score of 5-0.

At 62kg, two new finalists will compete for gold as world silver medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) secured her place in the final with a thrilling 7-6 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). She will now face Olympic bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), who laced Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) for a 10-0 win in the other semifinal.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) moved back down to 65kg for the European Championships after moving to 68kg mid-season last year. The 2022 68kg champion will now look to win the title at 65kg again. In the semifinal, she pulled off an incredible 13-6 win over Tetiana RIZKHO (UKR) after both wrestlers put on an entertaining show for six minutes. Mimi HRITSOVA (BUL) will be the wrestler trying to stop Ringaci after she defeated Kriszta INCZE (ROU) 2-1 in the other semifinals.

At 72kg, returning silver medalist Buse TOSUN (TUR) will be hoping to upgrade her medal after she dominated her semifinal match against Dalma CANEVA (ITA), winning 10-0. She will now face Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in the final, who defeated Liudmyla PAVLOVETS (UKR) 5-1 in the semifinals.

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RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 9-4

BRONZE: Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA) df. Miglena SELISHKA (BUL), via inj. def. 
BRONZE: Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Anna LUKASIAK (POL), 6-2

55kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Erika BOGNAR (HUN), 8-0

BRONZE: Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) df. Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), 9-0
BRONZE: Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) df. Annika WENDLE (GER), 6-4

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Yuliia TKACH (UKR), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) df. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Othelie HOEIE (NOR) df. Eda TEKIN (TUR), 6-4

68kg
GOLD: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Alla BELINSKA (UKR), 10-3

BRONZE: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df. Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK), 10-0
BRONZE: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), via inj. def.

76kg
GOLD: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 2-2

BRONZE: Cynthia VESCAN (FRA) df. Marion BYE (NOR), 10-0
BRONZE: Catalina AXENTE (ROU) df. Anastasiia OSNIACH (UKR), 5-3

Day 4 Semifinals

53kg
GOLD: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) vs. Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN) 

SF 1: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Turkan NASIROVA (AZE), via fall
SF 2:  Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 2-2

57kg
GOLD: Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)

SF 1: Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL), via fall
SF 2: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), 5-0

62kg
GOLD: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR) 

SF 1: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), 10-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 7-6

65kg
GOLD: Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

SF 1: Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Kriszta INCZE (ROU), 2-1
SF 2: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), 13-6

72kg
GOLD: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) vs. Buse TOSUN (TUR) 

SF 1: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) df. Liudmyla PAVLOVETS (UKR), 5-1
SF 2: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 10-0

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025 Preview

Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 08:11 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 13) -- A quick stat: Of the 30 gold medalists from last year's World U20 Championships, 13 will compete at the senior World Championships in Zagreb, a testament to the event's importance. This year's competition in Samokov, Bulgaria, from August 17 to 24, will undoubtedly introduce the next generation of wrestling stars.

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The eight-day event will feature 650 wrestlers: 233 in Freestyle, 231 in Greco-Roman, and 186 in Women's Wrestling. A significant number, 186 wrestlers, are returning from last year's competition. In Freestyle, 11 medalists are back, including one champion. Greco-Roman has 10 returning medalists, with three champions, while Women's Wrestling boasts 17 returning medalists and three defending champions.

Marcus BLAZE (USA)Marcus BLAZE (USA) is a returning bronze medalist at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

FREESTYLE

Last year, the United States had an incredible run, with nine of its 10 wrestlers winning a medal. This year, the U.S. is aiming to defend its team title for the first time. The team includes four returning medalists: Marcus BLAZE (61kg), PJ DUKE (70kg), Ladrion LOCKETT (74kg), and Justin RADEMACHER (97kg).

Iran will likely be its main challenger, looking to reclaim the team title they last won in 2023. However, the U.S. team is motivated, particularly after it recently stunned Iran to defend its team title at the U17 Worlds. Other major challengers include Georgia, Azerbaijan, India, and UWW wrestlers, many of whom are continental champions.

One of the returning medalists and a strong favorite for gold is Marcus BLAZE (USA). His only loss last year was to Masanosuke ONO (JPN), and he's now looking to add a world U20 title to his U17 one.

He won't be without competition, however. Ahora KHATERI (IRI), a 2023 world U17 champ, is also looking to add a U20 gold to his resume in his first event. Khateri wrestled at the Zagreb Open this year and finished fifth. The field is further bolstered by European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM), silver medalist Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) and Allan ORALBEK (KAZ).

Ladrion LOCKETT (USA)Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) will look to upgrade his silver to gold at 74kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ladrion LOCKETT (USA), a silver medalist last year, is a strong contender for gold. His aggressive style and high pace will be key against opponents who often can't handle his intensity. His biggest challenge will come from European U23 champion Ismail Khaniev (UWW), European U20 champion Manuel Wagin (GER), and returning bronze medalist Aghanazar Novruzov (AZE).

Lockett defeated Novruzov in the semifinals last year, but the latter recently added a senior European bronze to his resume and could cause an upset. The field also includes Asian U20 champion Mahdi Mamivand (IRI) and European U20 silver Raul Caso (ITA), who will be at his fourth U20 Worlds.

PJ DUKE (USA), who earned a spot on the U.S. senior team for Zagreb, is now looking to upgrade his bronze medal to gold this year. Wrestling at 70kg, Duke has been in phenomenal form, memorably pinning Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) to make the senior team. A classic U.S.-Iran battle is expected in this weight class, as he'll face 2022 world U17 champion Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), who recently won the Asian U20 gold medal. Elahi was also at the Zagreb Open but finished fifth.

While some weight classes feature clear favorites, others are wide open. The competition at 79kg is a prime example. The only returning champion is Alp Arsalan BEGENJOV (TKM), who made history as Turkmenistan's first-ever world U20 champion. However, he's had mixed results since then, including a loss to CHANDERMOHAN (IND) and a pin by AMIT (IND).

This opens the door for a host of contenders. Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), who lost his first bout to Begenjov last year, has since had a phenomenal run, winning a senior Asia gold, a world U23 title, and a silver at the Zagreb Open.

Leandro ARAUJO (BRA) is also looking to change the color of his medal. Araujo won bronze last year and silver at the Pan-Am U20 Championships. He'll be challenged by the wrestler who beat him in that final, William HENCKEL (USA), a potential gold medalist himself. Also in the mix are European U20 champ Davit TCHETCHELASHVILI (GEO), silver medalist Muradkhan OMAROV (AZE) and returning fifth-placers Said SAIDULOV (UWW) and Amit.

Another Iran wrestler who has improved significantly is Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI). After winning bronze last year, he's gone on to secure gold medals at senior and U20 Asians. While not a clear favorite, a gold medal in Samokov is definitely within his reach. European U20 champion Dachi PAPINASHVILI (GEO) and silver medalist Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), a returning bronze medalist himself, will be among those hoping to deny Rahmani.

European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the younger brother of Olympic champion Geno, will be looking to add another world title to his name.
Having finished eighth last year, Petriashvili will be keen on finishing on the podium this year at 97kg. But he'll face a stiff challenge from Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), the U20 Asian champ. Alizadeh's experience on the senior circuit, where he earned a silver at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, could be key to navigating Petriashvili's attacks. Also in the mix is Justin RADEMACHER (USA), a returning bronze medalist who is determined to claim the gold he missed last year.

Both Ashab DADAEV (FRA) and Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) lost to Petriashvili at the European U20s in close bouts. They will look to change the result they end up meeting the Georgian in Samokov.

Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ)Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) is a returning bronze medalist at 92kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 92kg, returning bronze medalists Anar JAFARLI (AZE) and Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) are ready to compete. Kurugliyev, a 2023 world U20 champ at 97kg and a 2022 world U17 champion, has moved down a weight class. While Jafarli lacks Kurugliyev's resume, he is a gold medal threat, having defeated the returning Connor MIRASOLA (USA) for bronze last year.

European U20 and U23 silver medalist Musza ARSUNKAEV (HUN) is also a factor, capable of upsets with a strong record that includes a 2022 world U17 silver medal. He recently finished fifth at the Budapest Ranking Series.

The 125kg class is set to be a battle of redemption and first-time glory. Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE), a former world U17 champion, is determined to claim a U20 title after a disappointing eighth-place finish last year, a goal bolstered by his recent European U20 silver.

His path to gold could be blocked by Inal GAGLOEV (UWW), the European U20 gold medalist who is stepping onto the world stage for the first time. The competition also features Pan-Am U20 champion Cole MIRASOLA (USA) and Asian U20 champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). For Kassimbek, the stakes are high; he has lost two U17 world finals, including one to Dursunov, and is now hungry for his first major gold.

Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW)Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW) is the favorite to win gold at 65kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 65kg weight class has a strong favorite: Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW). He won both the European U20 and U23 Championships with seemingly little trouble.

Yet, there will be challenges at the world level, which include European U20 silver medalist Viktor BOROHAN (UKR) and former Euro U20 champ Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR). Both of them have already suffered a defeat to Dzhandubaev but can step up on the day. The field also includes Pan-Am U20 champion Luke STANICH (USA), Aliasghar TATHASHTIKEH (IRI), who is making his international debut, and Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ), a 2024 world U17 champ who won bronze at the Asian U20s.

Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE)Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) is a two-time former world U17 champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Can former world U17 champion Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) add a U20 title? The European U20 champion’s path to gold won't be easy, as he'll face Nika ZANGALADZE (GEO), the only wrestler to truly test him in Italy. The U.S. is pinning its hopes on Anthony KNOX (USA), who is making his international debut.

Meanwhile, Iran has a strong contender in Arshia HADDADI (IRI), a bronze medalist at both the Asian U20 and 2022 World U17 Championships. Also challenging for gold is Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), who has been training in the U.S. at Oklahoma State University.

 Sakura ONISHI (JPN)Sakura ONISHI (JPN) is a senior Asian champion at 59kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

The statistic about in the first paragraph of this preview primarily highlights the strength of Women's Wrestling as seven champions from last year will be at the senior World Championships later in September.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) and Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) will represent Japan and the Zhang twins, Yu and Jin, will challenge for China. Christelle RODRIGUEZ (USA), Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Jyoti BERWAL (IND), all gold medalists from Pontevedra, will also be in Zagreb.

Now back in Samokov, both Uchida and Onishi will be wrestling for their second straight world U20 gold medal at 57kg and 59kg respectively.

Since her 2024 title, Onishi has won gold medals at Asian Championships and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. She is also a world U17 champ and silver medalist from 2023 and 2022 respectively.

Onishi will have her hands full with Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who is undefeated this year with European U20, U23 and Zagreb Open golds under her belt. NEHA (IND), a 57kg bronze medalist from last year, moves up to 59kg, bringing with her a recent silver from the Budapest Ranking Series and gold from the Mongolia Open. Marta HETMANAVA (UWW) and Aubre KRAZER (USA) are also strong contenders for a podium finish.

Unlike her teammate Onishi, Uchida is coming into the competition with a spotless international record. She would like to like that record and it seems that little will trouble her in Samokov.

Some formidable wrestlers include Pan-Am U20 champion Agnia KRAKOVSKA (CAN), Asian U20 champion TAPSYA (IND), European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR), and silver medalist Tindra DALMYR (SWE). A later dropout due to injury was Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), a senior European medalist and former world U20 champion. 

Apart from these two, Japan's line-up includes 2022 world U20 champ Ayano MORO (JPN) at 76kg, 2023 world U17 champs Rinka OGAWA (JPN) at 50kg and Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) at 53kg, So TSUTSUI (JPN) was a 57kg silver medalist at the 2024 world U17 championships, 2023 world and Asia champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) at 68kg and 2024 Asian U20 champ at 65kg Momoko KITADE (JPN).

At 76kg, the favorite to win gold is Ayano MORO (JPN), the 2022 world U20 champion. This weight class promises to be one of the most hotly contested, as Moro will renew her rivalry with PRIYA (IND), who she had defeated to win the title in 2022. The Indian wrestler, who won the U20 title in 2023, recently won silver at the Budapest Ranking Series and gold at Asian U23s and is a two-time world U17 champion.

The division is further stacked with returning bronze medalists Naomi SIMON (USA) and Elmira YASIN (TUR), as well as European U20 champion Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) and silver medalist Diana TITOVA (UWW).

Audrey JIMENEZ (USA)Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) is a two-time world U20 silver medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ogawa will have her task cut out at 50kg as two-time world U20 silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), who is hungry to finally claim a gold medal after two losses in the finals. Jimenez's impressive resume also includes a senior Pan-Am title and 2023 World U23 silver medal. Na HU (CHN), a 2024 world U17 champion, will aim to keep the 50kg title with China, following Yu ZHANG's (CHN) victory last year.

For Masuda at 53kg, the challenge may be tougher. Her weight class includes European U20 bronze medalist Sevval CAYIR (TUR), Asian U20 champ SAARIKA (IND), European U20 champ Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) and European U20 champ at 50kg Kseniya KOSTSENICH (UWW).

In the highly competitive 55kg weight class, several talented wrestlers are vying for the top spot. Leading the charge is returning silver medalist Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), who brings a wealth of experience from her training in Japan.

She will face stiff competition from returning bronze medalist and European U23 champion Tuba DEMIR (TUR), Asian U20 and U23 champion REENA (IND), who also secured World U23 and U20 bronze medals in 2023, European U20 champion Gerda TEREK (HUN) and the 2024 Pan-Am U20 champion Everest LEYDECKER (USA). 

With such a deep pool of talented wrestlers, So TSUTSUI (JPN) will face a challenging path to the gold medal, especially against rivals like Byambasuren.

Hoshino, the 2023 world U20 champion, is one of the favorites at 68kg. She is in a deep field with Ayse ERKAN (TUR), a returning silver medalist and European U20 bronze winner and Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR), a strong contender with European U23 bronze and 2024 World U17 silver medals.

The field also includes Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda BATISTA (BRA), returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND), and Asian U20 champion Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ). A new face, 2025 world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN), aims for her second world title in three weeks.

At 65kg, Beyza AKKUS (TUR), who is returning silver medalist and European U20 champion, is a favorite for the gold. But she’ll have to get past Momoko KITADE (JPN), a 2024 Asian U20 champion. Both Margarita SALNAZARIAN (UWW) and Zaixue RUI (CHN), who were bronze medalists last year, are also strong contenders.

At 72kg, all eyes will be on Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), the defending champion who dominated last year's event. She's a strong favorite to win gold again. However, Yuqi LIU (CHN), the silver medalist, is focused on revenge.

KAJAL (IND), the Asian U20 champion, brings impressive credentials, including silver medals at the World and Asian U17 events this year. Another name to watch is Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW), a European U23 champion who finished fifth last year.

At 62kg, European U20 champion Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) will look to win a medal after finishing fifth last year at 59kg. But she will have to go past Asian U20 champ ANJLI (IND), who also won silver at World U23 Championships last year and Pan-Am U20 champ Annika FINES (CAN).

Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI)Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) is a returning silver medalist at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

GRECO-ROMAN

Iran has won five straight team titles in Greco-Roman at the World U20 Championships. But winning the sixth will be challenging. While Iran’s line-up in 2024 was incredible, this year's does not guarantee the same.

The team, however, is still a strong contender, but countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, and Ukraine have their top wrestlers, and a few top UWW wrestlers are also in.

Leading the charge for Iran is Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), a returning silver medalist at 130kg. After winning his second Asian U20 gold this year, he's the top contender for gold. Last year, he was stunned in the final by Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), who isn't competing this year. Instead, Koppany LASZLO (HUN) -- a bronze medalist from Budapest Ranking Series -- will take his place.

Other notable names include last year's world and European U17 champion Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR), who is making his U20 debut against wrestlers like European U20 silver medalist Ali ILIASOV (UWW) and former world U17 champion Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO). Two-time former world U17 champion Cemal BAKIR (TUR) is also in the mix, looking for his first major U20 success after placing seventh at last year's U20 Worlds and eighth at this year's European U20 Championships.

Payam AHMADI (IRI)Payam AHMADI (IRI) is one of the favorites to win gold medal at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's gold medal hopes extend to Asian U20 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI), a 2023 world champion at 48kg, and now the front-runner at 55kg.

His biggest challenger is two-time former world U17 champion Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), who suffered his first-ever continental loss, taking silver at the European U20 Championships recently. The wrestler who handed him that defeat was Ivan SOLOMIN (UWW), who will be a formidable opponent in Samokov.

Also in the mix is Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO), a European U20 bronze and U23 silver medalist. Having lost to Dashdamirov three times already, he's eager for revenge and a shot at the gold. A dark horse to watch is Anil MOR (IND), who has shown significant improvement this year, winning gold at the Mongolian Open and bronze in Budapest. He had finished 10th last year in Pontevedra.

Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW)Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), world U20 champ at 72kg, will be wrestling at 77kg in Samokov. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In a different weight class this year, Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) returns for Iran. After finishing 16th at 72kg last year, he moved up to 77kg. This will be his third World U20s, and he's aiming for his first medal. It'll be a tough challenge, however, as the weight class includes returning world 72kg champion, Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), who was also a world U17 champion in 2023.

Another former world U17 champion, Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO), won the European U20 gold, and is a strong contender for the world title. He's known for his formidable par terre defense and a successful gut-wrench.

The list of contenders also includes European U20 silver medalist Davud MAMMADOV (AZE), who lost to Putkaradze in the 2024 world U17 final but has senior-level experience. Asian U23 champion Akzhan YKYLASSOV (KAZ) is also a notable entry in this stacked weight class.

Georgia brings more podium threats, including European U20 champions Aleksandre RUSITASHVILI (GEO) at 72kg and Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) at 87kg. Rusitashvili will face a familiar field at 72kg, led by his European rival, Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM), a returning ninth from 67kg and 2024 Euro U20s silver medalist.

This weight class is a major focus for Greece, whose best medal hope is former world U17 champion Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE). He'll be challenged by Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI), who is making his U20 debut and seeking revenge after losing to Kolitsopoulos in the 2023 world U17 final.

Other contenders for gold include returning 67kg silver medalist Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ), former world U17 champion Joel ADAMS (USA), and Asian U20 champion Ahmad KODIROV (UZB).

For Kochalidze, repeating his results at 87kg from Euros may be tough, as the weight class features recently crowned world U17 champion, Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI).

The competition is further intensified by strong gold medal contenders, including Asian U20 champion and returning bronze medalist Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) and European U20 silver medalist Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW).

The 67kg weight class is shaping up to be one of the toughest in Samokov. Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW), the returning world 63kg champion, is the favorite to claim his second title. Last year, Zakriev was dominant, his only real test coming from Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) in the semifinals.

Khozrevanidze, who is also moving up to 67kg, won bronze at the European U20s and was the U23 champion. He will be looking to avenge his loss to Zakriev and win gold. Also in the mix is returning silver medalist Otto BLACK (USA). After competing at the senior level in Budapest and Zagreb without medaling, he'll face a new set of challenges with Zakriev and Khozrevanidze now in his weight class.

Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion and 2023 world U20 silver medalist, is back with gold on his mind. Vladyslav POKOTYLO (UKR), European U20 silver medalist, and Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB), Asian U20 silver medalist, are also strong favorites to reach the podium.

The 60kg weight class is stacked and leading the pack is European U20 champion Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE). He aims to add a world U20 gold to the U17 title he won last year. He will face a familiar rival in senior European bronze medalist Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), whom Javadov defeated in last year's European U20 final.

Returning bronze medalist Papik DZHAVADIAN (UWW), a Euro U23 bronze medalist, is also a serious contender for gold. Other top names include Isaiah CORTEZ (USA), a 55kg silver last year who has moved up in weight, and Adam SILVERIN (SWE), a European U20 silver medalist hoping to improve on last year's 12th-place finish to earn Sweden its first world U20 medal since 2021.

Former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) will make his U20 debut and his recent success makes him one of India's strongest medal hopes.

At 97kg, finalists from last year, Darius KIEFER (GER) and Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR), are set to resume their rivalry. Yakushenko is the defending champion, having defeated Kiefer 6-4 in the final last year in addition to beating the German wrestler in the European final as well.

However, Kiefer has already avenged his loss at the European level, defeating Yakushenko to win gold at this year. He is now focused on reversing his world U20 loss.

The field also includes strong contenders like Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO), who won a world U20 silver and European title in 2023 and a world U17 gold in 2022. He finished 12th at the U20 Euros but is a proven threat. Iran's Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), the Asian U20 champion, also has the talent to go all the way.

The 63kg weight class could be Uzbekistan's chance for gold. Following its recent success at U17 level, Uzbekistan will hope to continue the trend at the U20 Worlds. Senior Asian champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) is aiming to win Uzbekistan's first U20 Greco-Roman world title since 2011.

Standing in his way are several top contenders: European U20 champion Igor PUNCHENKO (UWW), silver medalist Tural AHMADOV (AZE), and Asian U20 champion Emirlan DUISHENALIEV (KGZ).

The 82kg weight class can witness former world U17 champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) win gold. He returns as a bronze medalist from last year, is the 2024 senior Asian champion. The field also has Anri DAVITADZE (GEO), whom Yoshida defeated for the bronze in Pontevedra last year.

The top challengers are Asian U20 champion Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ) and European U20 champion Mikhail SHKARIN (UWW), who is also a 2024 world U17 champion. Yoshida has a history with Shkarin, having defeated him in a thrilling 8-6 final at the 2023 World U17 Championships.