#WrestleAmman

U17 World Championships 2024 Entries

By United World Wrestling Press

AMMAN, Jordan (August 15) -- A week after the 2024 Paris Olympics, the focus shifts to the U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan. The first World Championships of this season will be held from August 19 to 25 in the Jordanian capital.

The competition will see 576 wrestlers compete in 30 weight classes in Freestyle, Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman. In a two-day format, the tournament will begin with Greco-Roman followed by Women's Wrestling and finish with Freestyle.

All the bouts will be live on uww.org and UWW+ App.

Freestyle

45kg
Kiryl NIKITSIK (AIN)
Dzhamal BAKAEV (AIN)
Mher HAKOBYAN (ARM)
Fagan FATIYEV (AZE)
Levan NOZADZE (GEO)
SHIVAM (IND)
Amirabbas RAMEZANI (IRI)
Omar  MUSLEH (JOR)
Taku SHIBA (JPN)
Bekzat AMANGELDY (KAZ)
Sadyr KAIYPBEKOV (KGZ)
Ochirkhuu BADARCH (MGL)
Leon MANOV (MKD)
Bugra KAVAK (TUR)
Mykhailo DIDOSHAK (UKR)
Samuel SANCHEZ (USA)
Jurabek RAKHMONOV (UZB)

48kg
Tsimur SELACHNIK (AIN)
Chingis SARYGLAR (AIN)
Abderrezak CHENINI (ALG)
Armen PAPIKYAN    (ARM)
Hajihuseyn AHMADZADA (AZE)
Temuri TUTARASHVILI (GEO)
HARSH (IND)
Amirabbas ALIZADEH (IRI)
Yuki MAEDA (JPN)
Damir KALI (KAZ)
Erbol BOLOTOV (KGZ)
Daniel NEGRU (MDA)
Amartuvshin TSETSEGEE (MGL)
Andre HUARCAYA (PER)
Eren YALCIN (TUR)
Vladyslav KAIDAKOV (UKR)
Henry ASLIKYAN (USA)
Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB)

51kg
Uladzislau LISITSA (AIN)
Akhmed ATANGERIEV (AIN)
MOUADH CHIBANI (ALG)
Makaya KATENDI (ANG)
Ashot GYULNAZARYAN (ARM)
Muhammad ISMAYILOV (AZE)
Jianhao LIU (CHN)
Zeyad HASSANEINN (EGY)
Guga MACHARASHVILI (GEO)
KARTIK (IND)
Sam ARSHAD (IRI)
Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN)
Ibrahim YSKAKBEK (KAZ)
Marlen ABDRAIMOV (KGZ)
Anar ODBAYAR (MGL)
Frederick BACHMANN (PUR)
Kevin BIRCHLER (SUI)
Daghan GUVANCHMYRADOV (TKM)
Tugrul DEMIRCI (TUR)
Daniil CHASOVSKYI (UKR)
Domenic MUNARETTO (USA)
Ozodbek ALIJONOV (UZB)

55kg
Artsiom PAULIUCHENKA (AIN)
Tundzhai VERDIEV (AIN)
Abdelghani AID (ALG)
Gagik GHAZARYAN (ARM)
Huseyn HUSEYNOV (AZE)
Shata Er YUSHAN (CHN)
Mate TSINADZE (GEO)
Jaiveer SINGH (IND)
Arian MEHRALIZADEH (IRI)
Mohammad MUSLEH (JOR)
Yukiya KITADE (JPN)
Yeraly ASKERBEK (KAZ)
Kursantbek ISAKOV (KGZ)
Jon RAMADANI (KOS)
Catalin CURECHERI (MDA)
Ryenchinpeljee BAVUUDORJ (MGL)
Joseph BACHMANN (PUR)
Azatberdi ASHYRGULYYEV (TKM)
Mokbel SAHLI (TUN)
Efe KARATAS (TUR)
Zorab ALOIEV (UKR)
Keanu DILLARD (USA)

60kg
Andrei KUZNIATSOU (AIN)
Adlan SAITIEV (AIN)
Hayk AVANESYAN (ARM)
Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE)
Ryan DAHCHA (CAN)
Jiansheng LU (CHN)
Mohamed AHMED (EGY)
Danoush JOWKAR (GBR)
Akaki MAZMISHVILI (GEO)
Aik KAZARIAN (GRE)
Sitender SITENDER (IND)
Ahora KHATERI (IRI)
Abdelrahman MARAFI (JOR)
Itsuki YONASHIRO (JPN)
Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ)
Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ)
Inseong BAK (KOR)
Purevbaatar BAASANKHUU (MGL)
Jaden PEREZ (PUR)
Gabriel MIHALCEA (ROU)
Stefan GOUWS (RSA)
Bilal INCE (TUR)
Ivan ZALISKO (UKR)
Jordyn RANEY (USA)
Khudoberdi TURGUNOV (UZB)

65kg
Artsiom HOHINASHVILI (AIN)
Ramazan ABDULKADYROV (AIN)
Yeghishe MOSESYAN (ARM)
Mobin ZAREI (AUS)
Isa YUSIBOV (AZE)
Liam GORTON (CAN)
Keze LI (CHN)
Tristan FORSMAN (CRC)
Rati REVAZASHVILI (GEO)
Ahmad ARSZUNKAEV (HUN)
SAGAR (IND)
Yasin TAYEBI (IRI)
Riccardo BONANNO (ITA)
Kira YOSHIDA (JPN)
Bakdaulet AKIMZHAN (KAZ)
Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ)
Cristi CEBAN (MDA)
Khangaibayar GANBOLD (MGL)
Yandro SOTO RIVERA (PUR)
David BOICEA (ROU)
Markus LE ROUX (RSA)
Umut USLU (TUR)
Roman PRONAK (UKR)
Nathaniel ASKEW (USA)
Doniyor IBRAGIMOV (UZB)

71kg
Artsiom BOLSUN (AIN)
Zavur GADZHIMURADOV (AIN)
Vahe SAGHYAN (ARM)
Gazanfar KAZIMLI (AZE)
Loki BIGRAS (CAN)
Yuchen LIU (CHN)
Yahia ELIWA (EGY)
Luka TATIASHVILI (GEO)
Manuel WAGIN (GER)
Mark LAPOSA (HUN)
Nishant RUHIL (IND)
Abolfazl SHAMSIPOUR (IRI)
Declan BLIGH (IRL)
Huthaifa ABUBAKER (JOR)
Kairi ITO (JPN)
Amir ORAZBAYEV (KAZ)
Nursadyk NURDINOV (KGZ)
Catalin SPINU (MDA)
Byambaragchaa TAMIR (MGL)
Kawayran VAZQUEZ JR (PUR)
Alirizo BAKHROMOV (TJK)
Fatih AYDIN (TUR)
Samir IBISHOV (UKR)
Melvin MILLER (USA)

80kg
Aliaksei KURYLA (AIN)
Aldat KESAEV (AIN)
Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM)
Mahammad ABASZADA (AZE)
Yesikeer NUERHEISHA (CHN)
Ondrej KOCMANEK (CZE)
Nikoloz MAISURADZE (GEO)
Felix SCHMITT (GER)
VEVIK (IND)
Reza AFSHAR (IRI)
Hamza JAFAR (JOR)
Takeharu NISHIHARA (JPN)
Beibarys YERGALI (KAZ)
Samidullo ALIMZHANOV (KGZ)
Ganbat TSERENPUNTSAG (MGL)
Omer MEMEDI (MKD)
Darius SAS (ROU)
Mohamed FERCHICHI (TUN)
Selahattin CAN (TUR)
Artur KOSTIUK (UKR)
Emmitt SHERLOCK (USA)
Bunyod RUFATOV (UZB)

92kg
Aliaksei KHADUNOU (AIN)
Rodion SANAKOEV (AIN)
Kamel HARIZI (ALG)
Hrachik MKRTCHYAN (ARM)
Farhad SULEYMANLI (AZE)
Michealjeet GREWAL (CAN)
Zixu YUAN (CHN)
Mahmoud ELSAKKA (EGY)
Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE)
Youssef SOLIMAN (HUN)
SUNNY (IND)
Amir Reza ALI POUR (IRI)
Noriyuki ASANO (JPN)
Raim MAULETOV (KAZ)
Farukh MOMUNZHANOV (KGZ)
David Adrian METEA (ROU)
Bilal ZORBA (TUR)
Dmytro POSTOVYI (UKR)
Elijah DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)
Asadbek ERKINJONOV (UZB)

110kg
Yaraslau KOKHAN (AIN)
Ali BAIRAMUKOV (AIN)
Andranik JAGHETYAN (ARM)
Mukhamad GANTEMIROV (AZE)
Jagroop Singh DHINSA (CAN)
Rui GAO (CHN)
Gigia LUKUNIDZE (GEO)
Gyoergy JUHASZ (HUN)
Jaspooran SINGH (IND)
Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI)
Kareem SHEIKH YASIN (JOR)
Yuki YAMAMOTO (JPN)
Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ)
Jaehyuk LEE (KOR)
Ugur IRTEGUN (TUR)
Kyrylo TERNOVYI (UKR)
Michael MOCCO (USA)

Piper FOWLER (USA)Defending champion Piper FOWLER (USA), blue, and Lotta ENGLICH (GER), red, are entered at 73kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's Wrestling

40kg
Aleksandra FEDOROVA (AIN)
Nazrin AHMADLI (AZE)
Iraabir SOOCH (CAN)
Polina TIMSINA (EST)
Vivien SZENTPAL (HUN)
Raj BALA (IND)
Monaka UMEKAWA (JPN)
Zhasmina BAKOYEVA (KAZ)
Indra JIMENEZ (MEX)
Liva CELIK (TUR)
Kamila KUCHMA (UKR)
Francesca GUSFA (USA)

43kg
Nurana ASADLI (AIN)
Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN)
Xin HUANG (CHN)
Lara BLAZEKOVIC (CRO)
Mareim ABDELAAL (EGY)
Maria GKIKA (GRE)
Aditi KUMARI (IND)
Kokoha OBARA (JPN)
Anel BURKUTBAYEVA (KAZ)
Gabriela PALACIOS (MEX)
Yagmur KARABACAK (TUR)
Karolina SHPERYK (UKR)
Hailey DELGADO (USA)

46kg
Elvira BAHIRAVA (AIN)
Diana RYBCHENKO (AIN)
Jessica TUOMINEN (FIN)
Halilja AZIMOV (GER)
Shrutika PATIL (IND)
Yuu KATSUME (JPN)
Medina KUANYSHBEK (KAZ)
Akak MAMBETSADYKOVA (KGZ)
Daniella HOSSEIN BEKY (NOR)
Viktoria IGRENYI (SVK)
Fatma YILMAZ (TUR)
Yevheniia DRUZENKO (UKR)
Morgan TURNER (USA)

49kg
Kseniya KOSTSENICH (AIN)
Polina BOCHKAREVA (AIN)
Dounia ZITOUNI (ALG)
Esra MAMMADLI (AZE)
Na HU (CHN)
Fiona GASSER (GER)
Szonja NEMETH (HUN)
Utaha YUI (JPN)
Farida ABDRAKHMANOVA (KAZ)
Feruza AKMATBEKOVA (KGZ)
Lonisa REKA (KOS)
Amar AMGALANTUGS (MGL)
Electra GARAIACU (ROU)
Islem HEMLI (TUN)
Nil AKTAS (TUR)
Olena KOLUBAI (UKR)
Epenesa ELISON (USA)

53kg
Maryia KHRUSHCHOVA (AIN)
Olesia MALAKHOVA (AIN)
Fatima BAYRAMOVA (AZE)
Kaura COLES (CAN)
Jinzi EMU (CHN)
Mia KOVAC (CRO)
Manar ELMASRY (EGY)
Lisette BOETTKER (EST)
Lisa SHAVADZE (GEO)
Josefine WIDMANN (GER)
Anna KOEBLO (HUN)
MUSKAN (IND)
Layal Ayman Rebhi SUKKAR (JOR)
Nana KOZUKA (JPN)
Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ)
Diana AMANTUROVA (KGZ)
Angelica PLASCENCIA ACEVES (MEX)
Myagmarbayar UURTUYA (MGL)
Csilla VAN OS (NED)
Chloe BREWIS (RSA)
Ivana GAJIC (SRB)
Yi Hsuan TSENG (TPE)
Hava KONCA (TUR)
Ivanna LUKIANENKO (UKR)
Isabella GONZALES (USA)

57kg
Palina BRAHINETS (AIN)
Dolzhon TSYNGUEVA (AIN)
Fidan BABAYEVA (AZE)
Meng LIN (CHN)
Ainara PORTILLO GARCIA (ESP)
Miranda KAPANADZE (GEO)
Feenja HERMANN (GER)
Mairi MANI (GRE)
Barbara BAGER (HUN)
NEHA (IND)
Maya QUTASHAT (JOR)
So TSUTSUI (JPN)
Anna STRATAN (KAZ)
Kamila KUMUSHBEKOVA (KGZ)
Arvinbayar GALBADRAKH (MGL)
Kai Yi LI (TPE)
Ozlem GURSOY (TUR)
Anastasiia NYKYFOROVA (UKR)
Everest LEYDECKER (USA)

61kg
Varvara ALISEYENKA (AIN)
Zalina TOTROVA (AIN)
Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE)
Nini TSITSVIDZE (GEO)
Leonie STEIGERT (GER)
Eda BALAZS (HUN)
RAJNITA (IND)
Maya ISHAKAT (JOR)
Sae NOGUCHI (JPN)
Zhaidar MUKAT (KAZ)
Orsolja HABI (SRB)
Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR)
Anhelina BONDARENKO (UKR)
Taina FERNANDEZ (USA)

65kg
Anastasiya KOMANAVA (AIN)
Daria FROLOVA (AIN)
Ling CAI (CHN)
Maram ALY (EGY)
Selma PIHLAJA (FIN)
Ayla SAHIN (GER)
Viktoria PUPP (HUN)
PULKIT (IND)
Juliana CATANZARO (ITA)
Tala ABUKHEIT (JOR)
Ayano KUSUNOKI (JPN)
Uldana TILEUKHAN (KAZ)
Anujin ERKHEMBAATAR (MGL)
Kang Yu CHIANG (TPE)
Isslem NASRI (TUN)
Beyza AKKUS (TUR)
Konstantsiia SARBAIEVA (UKR)
Bella WILLIAMS (USA)

69kg
Ulyana LAPANIK (AIN)
Zukhra KAZULAEVA (AIN)
Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG)
Zahra KARIMZADA (AZE)
Khushleen JHALLI (CAN)
Chenyingzi SUN (CHN)
Rahma BEDIWY (EGY)
Tamara CSEH (HUN)
KAJAL (IND)
Maryam ABUHAMADA (JOR)
Ako UCHIYAMA (JPN)
Kyzzhibek ZHARKYNBAYEVA (KAZ)
Alexandra MOISEI (MDA)
Ana MARIOARA (ROU)
Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK)
Asma AMMOURI (TUN)
Ilayda CIN (TUR)
Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR)
Kaili MANUEL (USA)

73kg
Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN)
Diana TITOVA (AIN)
Melissa BELAID (ALG)
Julia DA SILVA JOAQUIM (BRA)
Saihan AO (CHN)
Lotta ENGLICH (GER)
Mansi LATHER (IND)
Makia KIMURA (JPN)
Akbota KADIR (KAZ)
Aisanat KALMAMATOVA (KGZ)
Viktorija IRKLE (LAT)
Malak SABRY (MAR)
Zeynep SUCU (TUR)
Khrystyna DEMCHUK (UKR)
Piper FOWLER (USA)

Ilia KANDALIN (AIN)Ilia KANDALIN (AIN), champion at 51kg, moving to 55kg which has 2023 champion Jayden RANEY (USA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Greco-Roman

45kg
Aslanbek KOSTOEV (AIN)
Badr MAHDAOUI (ALG)
Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM)
Shahid NABIYEV (AZE)
Mohamed ELTAYEB (EGY)
Gigi PAKSADZE (GEO)
Kedar KAMBLE (IND)
Ahmad BADRADDINI (IRI)
Sanad NAGHOUJ (JOR)
Toi NISHIMURA (JPN)
Damir ABILDA (KAZ)
Bekzhan BEISHEMBAEV (KGZ)
Marian FIRANTA (ROU)  
Yusuf KAYA (TUR)
Herman BASARAB (UKR)  
Isaiah WEBBER (USA)
Umidjon KAROMOV (UZB)

48kg
Nikolai KRISTOV (AIN)
Martin MANJIKYAN (ARM)
Amrah AMRAHOV (AZE)
Yuri LANDIM RIBEIRO (BRA)
Kaloyan IVANOV (BUL)
Giorgi CHACHUA (GEO)
Laszlo SZUROMI (HUN)
Bikash KACHHAP (IND)
Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI)
Amro ABU RMILAH (JOR)
Kai KOGASAKO (JPN)
Yedige TOLEUTAYEV (KAZ)
Barsbek OZUBEKOV (KGZ)
Patrick MOCAN CROITORU (ROU)
Yavuz AKGUN (TUR)
Bohdan MAKAROVETS (UKR)
Hayden SCHWAB (USA)
Khusniddin ABDUKARIMOV (UZB)

51kg
Zuber ABDOKOV (AIN)
Makaya KATENDI (ANG)
Sargis HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE)
Radovan SNAJDR (CZE)
Iuri CHAPIDZE (GEO)
Sotirios NTONTOS (GRE)
Sainath PARDHI (IND)
Abolfazl KARAMIEGAEI (IRI)
Adam ABU FARE (JOR)
Kiichi OI (JPN)
Yerassyl MUSSAN (KAZ)
Kutman KALBAEV (KGZ)
Luis VLAD (ROU)
Levin MEIER (SUI)
Mehmet SARP (TUR)
Maksut SULTANOV (UKR)
Domenic MUNARETTO (USA)
Khojiakbar KUCHKAROV (UZB)

55kg
Dzmitry DUDUK (AIN)
Ilia KANDALIN (AIN)
Yurik MKHITARYAN (ARM)
Ali NAZAROV (AZE)
Alyosha ILIEV (BUL)
Maoxian LIAO (CHN)
Nikolas DOUPOVEC (CZE)
Amr ELSHAER (EGY)
Davit GABEDAVA (GEO)
Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN)
Samarth MHAKAVE (IND)
Amirali HEYDARI (IRI)
Ibraheem NAGOJ (JOR)
Yuki HIROHASHI (JPN)
Alpamys BOLATULY (KAZ)
Emir EMILOV (KGZ)
Alexandru LUNGU (ROU)
Abdulsamet UCAR (TUR)
Denys SEREDIN (UKR)
Jayden RANEY (USA)
Sardor KHOLMURZAEV (UZB)

60kg
Mikita TSITOU (AIN)
Marat MARGIEV (AIN)
Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM)
Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE)
Ziming DING (CHN)
Tin TURKOVIC (CRO)
Mohamed MOHAMED (EGY)
Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO)
Bende OLASZ (HUN)
GAURAV (IND)
Abolfazl Ali SHIRI (IRI)
Ali ABUNASEER (JOR)
Yuto ITO (JPN)
Dosbol SHAMIL (KAZ)
Nurbek DZHUMABAEV (KGZ)
Maxim DAMASCHIN (MDA)
Ilias LAAOUINA (NED)
Ioan IORDACHITA (ROU)
Enes KAMAL (TUR)
Vadym MATROS (UKR)
Jordyn RANEY (USA)
Farrukh YULDOSHEV (UZB)

65kg
Dzhabrail UMKHADZHIEV (AIN)
Narek GRIGORIAN (ARM)
Emil ABDULLAYEV (AZE)
Zhengye HAN (CHN)
Jure RAJKOVIC (CRO)
Zdenek KUBALA (CZE)
Mohamed IBRAHIM (EGY)
Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO)
Kevin KARL (GER)
Rego TORDA (HUN)
ANUJ (IND)
Amir SAEIDI NAVA (IRI)
Zaid NAGHOUJ (JOR)
Riku TANAKA (JPN)
Daniyar KANAGATBEK (KAZ)
Nursultan ADYLBEKOV (KGZ)
Arsenie CAISIN (MDA)
Borgil TUVSHINBAATAR (MGL)
Balaz UJHELJI (SRB)
Omer SEZER (TUR)
Vladyslav POKOTYLO (UKR)
Colton WEILER (USA)
Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB)

71kg
Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN)
Vladislav BYRLIA (AIN)
Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM)
Yusif AHMADLI (AZE)
Sergey STOEV (BUL)
Jinhao WU (CHN)
Bruno HANZEL (CZE)
Giorgi ALADASHVILI (GEO)
Sotirios BOUZAS (GRE)
Imre KOLOMPAR (HUN)
Sachin KUMAR (IND)
Mohammad KAZEMI (IRI)
Ahmad HAMAIDEH (JOR)
Tsubasa EGUCHI (JPN)
Marlan BAKAYEV (KAZ)
Ilgis KANYBEKOV (KGZ)
Isodzhon NURAKHMADOV (TJK)
Kuzey ILDEM (TUR)
Kyrylo UHRIK (UKR)
Joseph JETER (USA)
Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB)

80kg
Uladzislau KURDZIUK (AIN)  
Mikhail SHKARIN (AIN)  
Mohamed ABADI (ALG)  
Arame ARAKELYAN (ARM)  
Orkhan HAJIYEV (AZE)  
Guilherme LANDIM SALLES (BRA)  
Dinko NEYKOV (BUL)  
Zheying SONG (CHN)  
Petr ZAK (CZE)
Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO)  
Daniel JAKAB (HUN)
Nishant PHOGAT (IND)
Emad MOHSENNEJAD (IRI)
Daichi AKIHO (JPN)
Yerkebulan ANAPIYA (KAZ)
Zhoomart ASHIMOV (KGZ)
Marius ZAJAUSKAS (LTU)
Nichita APOSTOL (MDA)
Dusan STOKIC (SRB)
Muhammad SULTONZODA (TJK)  
Yigit SARI (TUR)  
Vladyslav SOLODCHUK (UKR)  
Emmitt SHERLOCK (USA)
Shokhjakhon SHOVKATOV (UZB)

92kg
Kanstantsin KASYAN (AIN)
Ramzan SADULAEV (AIN)
Lotfi MECHOUCHE (ALG)  
Lyova SHUKHYAN (ARM)  
Said PASHAYEV (AZE)  
Raphael RODRIGUES (BRA)  
Radostin VASILEV (BUL)  
Mengyang ZHANG (CHN)  
Patrik BUDOR (CRO)  
Zeyad MOHAMED (EGY)  
Vladimer MINADZE (GEO)  
Ole STERNING (GER)  
Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE)  
Andras BUDAI (HUN)  
LUCKY (IND)
Danial IZADI (IRI)
Koki MATSUMOTO (JPN)
Adilet TOISHY (KAZ)
Asek ZAIIRBEKOV (KGZ)
Seunguk BAK (KOR)
Julius GIKARAS (LTU)
Daniel HUTANU (ROU)
Migael PIENAAR (RSA)
Serkan BAKIR (TUR)
Tymofii PRYKHODKO (UKR)
Evan MCGUIRE (USA)
Fakhrikamol KOMILJONOV (UZB)

110kg
Daniil MASLAKOU (AIN)
Artur MANVELIAN (AIN)
Aymen AOUIDAT (ALG)
Seyran KIRAKOSYAN (ARM)
Abdullah HASANOV (AZE)
Mihail KRALEV (BUL)
Haorui WANG (CHN)
Dominik KOCMAN (CZE)
Luka SHAVADZE (GEO)
Zoltan CZAKO (HUN)
RONAK (IND)
Aliasghar DADBAKHSH (IRI)
Tenga ABE (JPN)
Ulankandas OTEGENOV (KAZ)
Emrullah CAPKAN (TUR)
Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR)
Trayvn BOGER (USA)
Sayidamir NEMATOV (UZB)

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Women's Wrestling Preview

By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 10) -- Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is the only Paris Olympic champion entered in Women's Wrestling for the World Championships in Zagreb.

While four of the six champions in Paris had world titles to their names, only Motoki and now retired Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) did not. Motoki wants to change that.

"As the alarm on my smartphone to wake up in the morning, I use the music they play during the winning lap at the World Championships," Motoki had said after winning against Ozaki. "Each time I hear it, it gives me an unpleasant feeling and makes me remember what happened. Even after I won at the Olympics, that sinking feeling never really went away."

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is the only Olympic champion entered for Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Motoki has been to the World Championships twice before but came up short both times, winning bronze in 2022 at 59kg and silver in 2023 at 62kg.

She will be leading a strong Japanese team that has five senior world champions and four with multiple age-group titles to their names. Japan won six out of 10 gold medals in Women's Wrestling in 2023 and captured three out of four at the Non-Olympic Weights World Championships in 2024.

While Motoki enters as the favorite at 62kg, expectations are high across the lineup. The roster of returning world champions includes Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at 50kg, Haruna OKUNO (JPN) at 53kg, Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) at 65kg, Ami ISHII (JPN) at 68kg, and Masako FURIUCHI (JPN) at 72kg.

Others completing the line up are Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 55kg, Himeka TAKUHARA (JPN) at 57kg, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) at 59kg and Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg.

But at the World Championships, Japan will be tested. Ukraine, the United States, and China are bringing tough names to Zagreb and the return of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will also shake up the results.

Storylines that will keep the fans engaged will be: Helen MAROULIS (USA) aiming for fourth world title at 57kg, Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Grace BULLEN (NOR) at 68kg, Kennedy BLADES (USA) in a deep 68kg weight class and Sakura ONISHI's (JPN) big test at 59kg.

Iryna BONDAR (UKR)Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is the European champion at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Challenge for Motoki

For Motoki, the road to gold in Zagreb may go through Iryna BONDAR (UKR), one of the rising stars in international wrestling. Bondar has already made her mark at the age-group level, winning both U20 and U23 world titles, and currently holds European Championships titles at both the senior and U23 levels.

After claiming the senior European title in April, Bondar made it clear that she's aiming for the top.

"Senior level is a whole different level of wrestling -- senior wrestling is tough and intense," she said. "Are there tougher opponents? Yes, absolutely. The toughest competitors are from Japan -- they are the strongest in the world."

Still adjusting to the pace of senior-level competition, Bondar tends to start slow in matches but has an effective arsenal of attacks once she settles in. But whether she’s ready for someone as polished and tactical as Motoki remains to be seen.

Also entered at 62kg are Asian champion MANISHA (IND), silver medalist Ok Ju KIM (PRK), and former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), but Motoki remains the clear favorite to top the podium.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN), a 2021 world champion, is unbeaten internationally. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 50kg, Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) will aim to win her second world title, four years after claiming her first in 2021. She has not competed at the World Championships since, with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) occupying the spot during that time. However, Susaki did not enter the qualification process this year.

Yoshimoto has proven herself at the Asian level and remains unbeaten internationally since a loss to Chun Lei (CHN) at the Tokyo Test Event in 2019. Her main challenge could come from European champion Oksana LIVACH (UKR), who won a world bronze in 2018 but hasn’t returned to the podium since. Zagreb presents an opportunity and she will be keen on finishing with a medal.

The Japanese defeated Yu ZHANG (CHN) and Myonggyong WON (PRK) en route to her 2025 Asian title, and they are not expected to trouble her in Zagreb. European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and U20 world silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) will aim to finish on the podium as well.

Lucia YEPEZ (ECU)Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) won the Pan-Am gold in May. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Unpredictability of 53kg

Chasing her fourth world title at 53kg is Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), who made the Japan team after defeating another world champion, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN). Murayama won her first world gold in 2017 and added a second in 2018. But she had to wait five years to win her third in 2023, largely due to Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN) dominating the weight before the Tokyo Olympics and Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) holding the spot until Paris.

Now, Murayama has a shot at another title. The weight class, however, is deep with talent. Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) returns for the first time since the Paris Games and could become Ecuador’s first world champion. Her explosive style has troubled even the best, including Fujinami.

Asian champion Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK), who beat Kiyooka in the Asian final, will be a strong medal threat with her powerful gut-wrench. Jin ZHANG (CHN), a former world U20 champion, will look to build on her silver from last year at 55kg.

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) skipped this season but is returning to the World Championships with an aim to win her first medal. The former European champion can trouble the best with her strong leg-attacks and will be a medal favorite in Zagreb.

Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), perhaps motivated by her historic European win, is going for her fourth world medal. Also in the mix will be world bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) who finished with a bronze in Asia.

Battles at 68kg

Another packed weight class is 68kg, featuring Olympic silver medalists Kennedy BLADES (USA) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), world champions Jia LONG (CHN), Buse TOSUN (TUR), and Ami ISHII (JPN), along with several other top contenders.

Blades, who won silver in Paris at 76kg, has looked unbeatable at 68kg this year, claiming Ranking Series golds in Zagreb and Budapest, as well as a Pan-Am title. However, the World Championships in Zagreb will be a tougher test.

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

68kg Olympic silver medalist Zhumanazarova returns with the goal of winning her second world title. Though she has competed infrequently, she is always a serious gold-medal threat. She was training in Türkiye with fellow world champion Tosun, who won bronze in Paris. The big-throwing Tosun is chasing her second world title as well.

Jia LONG, last year’s world champion at 65kg, is moving up to 68kg as she targets an Olympic weight for 2028. Known for one of the most dangerous gut wrenches in wrestling, she will look to use it to mount a serious title run.

Ami ISHII (JPN) did not medal in 2023 but won gold at 72kg in 2024. While she has made significant improvements, her defensive game remains a concern, as she tends to give up points. Still, Ishii is a strong contender for gold.

Other notable names include world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), Asian silver medalist Sol Gum PAK (PRK), European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), and Khanum VELIEVA (UWW).

Golden chances for Maroulis, Bakergenova

Helen MAROULIS (USA) was unsure about returning to wrestling after winning her third Olympic medal -- a bronze in Paris. But she made her comeback in Budapest, where she captured gold. Now, she has a chance to win her fourth world title in Zagreb.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) had previously halted Maroulis at both the World Championships and Olympics, but with the Japanese star not entered in Zagreb, Maroulis has her best opportunity to top the podium again. The American remains the most experienced wrestler in the 57kg field, and her form in Budapest showed she’s still capable of a title run.

Her top challenger will be Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN), who was leading her semifinal in Paris against Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) before getting caught and pinned. Hong’s powerful gut-wrench remains a major weapon.

Il Sim SON (PRK), the Asian silver medalist, is another threat but may struggle due to inexperience. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) is also capable of upsetting top names. Other medal hopefuls include European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW), Tokyo silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW), and U20 world champions Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and TAPSYA (IND).

At 72kg, Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) could make history by becoming Kazakhstan’s first-ever world champion. A three-time silver medalist, she lost to Amit ELOR (USA) twice and to Ami ISHII (JPN) last year, but neither of them is in her path this time. Still, the weight class has strong contenders.

Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) is looking to reclaim the top spot and stands a good chance. European champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) is chasing her first world medal, as is world and European U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR). Former world U20 champion Jyoti BERWAL (IND) also has an outside chance at a podium finish.

Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) is looking to rediscover her magic on the mat. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Can Khomenets rebound?

At one point in her career, Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) was seen as the next big star in Ukrainian wrestling. She captured age-group world and European titles and won silver at the 2023 World Championships at 55kg. However, injuries derailed her progress, and she’s now working to return to peak form.

She finished seventh at last year’s World Championships, but a bronze at the European Championships earlier this year has helped her regain confidence. A medal in Zagreb could further boost her motivation.

The 55kg field is deep. European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) has emerged as a top contender, having defeated Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) in the final. Debien will look to avenge that close 6-5 loss.

Asian 53kg champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) is another strong challenger. Her versatile attacks and solid defense, showcased in her win over Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), make her a serious threat.

Japan will be represented by former world U20 champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN), who suffered an injury in Samokov in August. Her fitness and ability to handle the weight cut from 57kg will be challenging.

Onishi in the senior league

Soon after winning her second U20 world title in August, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) said it was only the first of two she hopes to win this year -- the second being a senior world title. A month later, she heads to Zagreb aiming to complete the double.

Onishi’s deadly leg lace helped her dominate in Samokov, and across two U20 World Championships, she hasn’t conceded a single point. But senior-level competition is a different test.

She narrowly won the Asian title in April, edging Pyol HUNG (PRK) 6-4. Hung, also entered in Zagreb, will be aiming for revenge. Still, with that win and time to reflect, Onishi enters as the favorite.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), world 55kg champion in 2019, is now at 59kg hoping to add another world medal. She will be tested at the heavier weight class.

Ringaci vs Bullen: Part 3

Grace BULLEN (NOR) may have won both her matches against Irina RINGACI (MDA) at 65kg this year, but neither victory came easily. In their latest bout, Ringaci was leading 14-6 and was one turn away from victory when Bullen blocked a gut-wrench attempt and secured a dramatic fall. Earlier, at the European Championships, Bullen narrowly held on for an 11-8 win in the final.

Their rivalry could see a third chapter in Zagreb, and Ringaci will be eager to finally get the win. While Bullen holds the edge, a World title victory would be far more meaningful. Both wrestlers match each other in style -- strong defense, explosive throws, and a tendency to get tangled in high-scoring exchanges.

Outside this duo, the field includes former world champions Qi ZHANG (CHN) and Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), and world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA). Zhang has struggled since moving up from 59kg, while Morikawa, a bronze medalist last year, will need to raise her level. Koliadenko is also adjusting after moving up from 62kg. Kilty, a two-time world bronze medalist, remains a strong podium contender.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is looking for her first world title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 76kg, Asian champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) enters as the favorite, though recent losses -- including in the Tirana Ranking Series and Paris bronze match -- expose her troubles on the mat against quality opponents.

Among the contenders will be Milaimy MARIN (CUB) who defeated Medet Kyzy in the bronze medal bout in Paris, former Asian champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ), European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) and world U23 champion Kylie WELKER (USA).

Fifth-placer at the Olympics Genesis REASCO (ECU) and world U20 champion PRIYA (IND) will also aim for medals.