#WomensWrestling

Stadnik, Chasing Olympic Gold, Confirms Run for '24 Paris Games

Monday, January 10, 2022 - 20:15 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 10) – Mariya STADNIK (AZE) officially put an end to the rumors that she’s hanging up her wrestling shoes, as she told United World Wrestling she's committed to competing through the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

There was a slew of retirement announcements following the Tokyo Olympics, and it was heavily speculated that the 33-year-old mother-of-two would call an end to her career after she won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games – her fourth Olympic medal in as many tries. But the nine-time European champion (seven European Championships and two European Games) squashed the rumors, saying she still believes in her potential and has a burning passion for the sport.

“I think that as long as I have the desire to wrestle, I should fulfill all my potential,” Stadnik said. “I made this decision to continue wrestling as soon as I came back home [from Tokyo]. All my relatives and friends believe in me very much.  My son wants me to go on wrestling because he says I am very strong.”

Stadnik, who has a combined ten Worlds and Olympic medals and only ten losses since she made her senior-level debut at the 2008 Golden Grand Prix in Baku, sits alongside Kaori ICHO (JPN) and Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) as the only women in the Games history to claim a quartet of Olympic medals.

If she reaches the podium in Paris, she’d become the first-ever wrestler – male or female – to win five Olympic medals in one style. Furthermore, if Stadnik wins that long-awaited Olympic gold, she’d become the oldest Olympic champion in women’s wrestling by a long shot.

Icho, who won her Rio Olympic title at 32-years-and-2-months-old, holds the current record. Stadnik will be 35-years-and-8-months-old during the ’24 Paris Games.

“I would really love to have five Olympic medals. Each medal is a part of my life story; it’s a part of my way. There are five Olympic Rings, so having five Olympic medals would make history," she said.

But Stadnik, who won a bronze in Beijing and silver in London and Rio, understands that to sustain greatness at her age, she has to listen to her body and can’t compete as often as she once did.

“Competing four or five tournaments a year is perfect for me,” Stadnik explained. “The only problem I might have before going to Paris is I don’t know how my body would react to training. I have some experience that I need to use in the right way in order to compensate for that energy I had when I was 20 years old.”

Owing to a similar reason, the 2019 world champion has limited her participation in tournaments in past. In 2019 and 2021, she participated only in two competitions each year, perhaps to keep her body healthy and reduce the burden of cutting weight before competitions. Although she didn’t say when she plans on lacing up her shoes next, Stadnik is expected to compete at the ’22 European Championships in Budapest, Hungary (March 28 – April 3).

Stadnik's Resume:
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#Grappling

Russia Sweeps U17 European Grappling Despite Armenia Challenge

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 07:35 By United World Wrestling Press

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YEREVAN, Armenia (May 20) -- Armenia’s emerging grapplers showcased remarkable depth while Russia dominated the heavier divisions at the U17 Men’s European Grappling Championships here on Monday, with the three traditional regional powers — Armenia, Russia and Ukraine — sweeping podium places across the men’s categories.

Armenia’s strength was most visible in the lighter weights. In the 39-42kg category, Yura MELKONYAN led an Armenian one-two finish ahead of Emanuel GHULYAN, winning the bout 2-1. The trend continued at 50kg where Aram HOVSEPYAN (ARM) clinched gold while compatriot Arshak GALSTYAN (ARM) secured bronze. In the 63kg division, Avet BARSEGHYAN (ARM) added a bronze to the home country’s tally.

The hosts consistently placed multiple wrestlers on the podium, underlining the depth of their youth programme. Armenia added further medals through Marat KARAPETYAN and Hovhannes MRKTCHYAN at 46kg, Gor KHACHATRYAN at 54kg, Garush VARDANYAN at 76kg and Martin DAVTYAN at 85kg.

Russia, meanwhile, stamped its authority in the middle and upper weights. Albert PAREMUZIAN won (RUS) the 46kg title before Azizdzhon SOTVOLDIEV (RUS) took gold at 58kg, beating Davyd KHOMANETS (UKR) 5-0 in the final.

The Russians continued their dominance in the 63 and 69kg categories, recording a gold-silver finish in both. In 63kg, Kurbanali MAKHMUDOV (RUS) defeated Boris BAIRAMUKOV (RUS) to win the gold medal, whereas Ramil ZHIROV (RUS) claimed the 69kg title, beating Iaroslav BALAKIREV (RUS) 7-2 in the final.

The Russians were especially dominant at 76kg where Gusein KHASAEV defeated compatriot Muslim MAMMAEV 2-1 in an all-Russian final.

Ibragim KUMYSHEV (RUS) added another gold at 85kg while Russia also collected silver and bronze in the heavyweight 110kg division through Dzhamal ALKHASOV and Ramazan ESEDOV, respectively.

Ukraine produced fewer overall medallists but impressed with quality performances. Roman SHOSTAK led a Ukrainian one-two finish at 54kg ahead of Illia ZHOLOBOV, while Yaroslav FEDYNA emerged heavyweight champion at 110kg. Ukraine also secured double podium finishes at 58kg through Khomanets and Artem ZAIETS.

Poland’s Marcel Jan BIALEK was the only medallist outside the dominant trio, taking silver at 85kg.

While Russia won the team title with a total of 190 points, hosts Armenia were second with 164, and Ukraine finished third, amassing 85 points.

Russia Dominates in Women`s

Russia reinforced its status as the tournament’s powerhouse by capturing the women’s team title as well, after a commanding series of performances across all categories. Echoing the dominance of the men, Russian grapplers reached the podium in all five weight categories and ultimately finished ahead of Ukraine in the overall standings, with 105 points.

Olesia YATSKO (UKR) beat Ailina GALIEVA (RUS) 7-4 to reign supreme in the 46kg category. It was a Russian 1-2 in the 49kg division, with Vasilisa SHUTOVA (RUS) defeating compatriot Elena KHISMATULLINA (RUS) to take the gold, while Karolina HYRIA (UKR) won the bronze medal.

The strongest statement came in the 56kg category, where Russia completed a remarkable clean sweep of the podium. Sofia ZASLAVSKAIA secured the gold medal after an outstanding performance, while Veronika ZIIAEVA added silver and Eva Sergeevna USHAKOVA claimed bronze, underlining the nation’s depth and control in the weight class.

Russia continued to collect crucial team points in the 60kg division, where Viktoria MOKSUNOVA earned silver. Nadia Bozena PLEWINSKA (POL) took the gold medal with an impressive display while Yana PAVLIUK (UKR) finished third to keep Ukraine firmly in contention for second place in the team rankings.

In the 65kg division, Ukraine celebrated gold through Sofia GOLOVACH, who delivered one of the country’s standout performances of the tournament. Matylda ULEWICZ (POL) earned silver, while Angelina IARKINA (RUS) added another bronze medal to the Russian tally.

Despite strong competition from both Ukraine and Poland, Russia’s consistency across all categories proved decisive, with the multiple podium finishes allowing them to comfortably secure the overall women’s title.