#WrestleRome

U17 World Championships Day 4 semis set

By Vinay Siwach

ROME, Italy (July 28) -- The U17 World Championships enters day four with five women's wrestling five weight classes in action. After the finals were set for the other five weights, wrestlers in 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg and 69kg will take the mat at the Pala Pellicone in Rome, Italy.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 WRAP

11 different countries enter the semifinals with Japan sending all five. India has four in the semis while USA and Ukraine have two each. 7 others have a wrestler each in the last four.

13:45: What a semifinal we have a 61kg -- Suzu SASAKI (JPN) vs. Savita SAVITA (IND). Both have dominated the bouts and will wrestle in the first semifinal.

The other 61kg semifinal will have Valerie HAMILTON (USA) wrestle Sevinch SULTONOVA (UZB) who pinned Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR).

13:40: Two internationally unbeaten wrestlers in 53kg semifinals

Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) vs. Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Sakura ONISHI (JPN) vs. Ya Hsin CHEN (TPE)

13:30: The 46kg semifinals for tonight

Koko MATSUDA (JPN) vs. SHRUTI (IND)
Gabriella GOMEZ (USA) vs. Kornelia LASZLO (HUN) 

13:25: Who are you picking to win the semifinals at 69kg?

Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR)
Veronika VILK (CRO) vs. HARSHITA (IND) 

13:20: The 40kg semifinals are set

Yagmur KARABACAK (TUR) vs. Mona EZAKA (JPN) 
Muskan MUSKAN (IND) vs. Diana VOICULESCU (ROU) 

13:10: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), a returning gold medalist, is on her way to a second straight gold medal. She reaches the 53kg semifinal with a fall over Maria SZKUDLAREK (POL) 

13:00: European champion at 46kg Kornelia LASZLO (HUN) hangs on for a close 2-0 win against Juliette LESCURE (FRA) in the quarterfinals. Lescure was a bronze medalist at the same competition

12:50: These 69kg quarterfinals are absolutely top bouts. Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN)Nikoleta BARMPA (GRE) vs. Harshita HARSHITA (IND)Paulina KUCHARCZYK (POL) vs. Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR)Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) vs. Veronika VILK (CRO) 

12:30: Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), who was born and raised in Japan, begins her tournament with a 10-0 win over Milica SEKULOVIC (SRB)

12:20: A classic on Mat C! Sakura ONISHI (JPN) trailed Asian champion REENA (IND) 4-2 when she got a front chest wrap and scored two each. It looked like exposure for Onishi at the end but no score. Japan challenge the call. The exposure is confirmed and was in time. Onishi wins 6-6 at 53kg. 

12:10: Asian champion SHRUTI (IND) with a controlled 4-0 win over Busranur OZMEZ (TUR) at 46kg. Gabriella GOMEZ (USA) had early trouble but manages to move past Yelyzaveta KULAKIVSKA (UKR) via fall. 

11:45: Another bronze medalist from European Championships Leonie STEIGERT (GER) suffers a 3-1 loss to Yen LI (TPE) at 61kg. But silver medalist from Euros Ilayda CIN (TUR) pins Maram ALY (EGY). In other bout, Wilma HOFFMAN (SWE) beats Wiktoria KAMELA (POL) 5-0

11:30: We begin with the qualification bouts of 61kg as it has the most wrestlers. European champion Sabina PETRACHE (ROU) is made to work hard early in the competition. She wins 3-3 against bronze medalist Leah SAMSONSEN (NOR).

11:15: An all women's wrestling day. Qualification and repechage along with semifinals and the gold medals bouts later in the day. Get ready for some historic debuts and medals in Rome.

UWW's Event Organization Workshop heats up in Athens

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (July 30) -- United World Wrestling held a new edition of its Event Organization Workshop in Athens, Greece, from July 24-29.

The activity was conducted by the UWW Sports Department and took place on the sidelines of the U17 World Championships, offering participants an immersive experience to learn directly within the context of a major international event.

A total of 25 participants from 16 countries attended the workshop -- with nearly 50 percent of the attendees being women -- representing national federations and upcoming event organizers.

The attendees took part in theoretical sessions and field-based learning covering critical areas such as accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics. They also had the chance to observe the live execution of the Championships, attend the Technical Conference, and tour key competition areas.

The Local Organizing Committee played an important role in supporting the delivery of the workshop, facilitating access to venues, providing logistical coordination, and sharing their experience in hosting a major international event. Their collaboration was key to ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.

To complement the technical content, the group also enjoyed a cultural visit to the Acropolis, one of the most iconic landmarks in Athens. This excursion helped foster exchange and camaraderie among participants, while providing a connection to the host city’s rich heritage.

UWW
Attendees walk through accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics at the Event Organization Workshop in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The workshop was facilitated by members of the UWW team, who shared their expertise and provided hands-on guidance throughout the sessions. The collaborative format encouraged knowledge exchange and open dialogue, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the content and format of the workshop, noting its relevance and practicality. The mix of classroom instruction, real-event exposure, and networking opportunities made the experience both educational and inspiring.

This edition of the Event Organization Workshop reinforced UWW’s commitment to building local capacities and delivering high-standard wrestling events across the world. Athens 2025 once again proved the value of this initiative and the importance of continuing to invest in professional training for sport event delivery.

Ramil AHMADOV, UWW Senior Competition Manager, and Yuri MAIER, Sports & Development Officer, conducted the workshop. We were honored to have Theodoros HAMAKOS, Vice-President of UWW, award the certificates.