#WrestleIstanbul

U17 World Championships offers glimpse of future stars

By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkiye (July 26) -- Beginning next week, future wrestling stars will be on show at the U17 World Championships in Istanbul, with the US, Iran, and Japan hoping to defend their team titles in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling, respectively.

The US has been a top nation at the age-group tournament in recent years, finishing second in 2021 and clinching the title in 2022 in Rome. Iran, traditionally a wrestling hotbed, may have slipped in Freestyle but has dominated Greco-Roman. Once again, it will be the favorite for the team title. Japan, undoubtedly the best in women’s wrestling, will be the country to beat in Istanbul.

But as trends show in recent years, these formidable nations will face stiff challenges from India, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, and the AIN team, which comprises neutral wrestlers. India has been on the heels of the top nations in Freestyle and women’s wrestling, winning the title in 2021 and finishing second last year. In women’s wrestling, it has finished second in the last two editions. Georgia has won the Greco team title in 2021 while Azerbaijan has finished second in 2019 and 2022.

Here’s a detailed per-style breakdown of the U17 World Championships, which will be live from July 31 on uww.org and the UWW App, which will have all the news, results, and interviews. All photos can be accessed at photo.uww.org.

Greco-Roman

Iran may be the defending team champions, but the home country, Turkiye, will be cheering for Cemal Bakir (TUR), the defending gold medalist at 110kg.

Bakir was dominant in Rome, winning the gold by outscoring his opponents 28-2 in four bouts, three of which ended after Bakir's technical superiority. He will also get a chance to avenge his 2023 U17 European Championships 5-3 loss to Saba Chilashvili (GEO).

Besides the two, the 110kg weight class will see all four of the U17 Asian medalists, including gold medalist Amirhossein ABDEVALI (IRI), silver medalist Bekzhan ISMAGULOV (KAZ), and the two bronze medalists Talasbek BOOBEKOV (KGZ) and RONAK (IND).

Nicholas SAHAKIAN (USA), who won the U17 Pan-Am title in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman, will look to make a mark at the world level as well.

The host nation will also have big hopes, especially from U17 European bronze medalist Mehmet SARP (TUR) at 45kg and 55kg U17 European silver medalist Halil CINAR (TUR), who finished fifth at the 2022 U17 World Championships.

Defending team champion Iran is bringing four continental champions, including Abdevali. The others are Mohammad MOHMADI (IRI) at 51kg, Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI) at 55kg, and Aliakbar ASGHARI (IRI) at 92kg. Iran also has Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI), who was a bronze medalist in the 45kg category last year but is moving up to 48kg.

Gholami will be the favorite to win the gold in Istanbul, but he will be challenged by Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the gold medalist at 51kg in 2022. Khalmakhanov finished with bronze at the U17 Asian Championships after suffering a semifinal loss to SURAJ (IND), the U17 world champion from Rome. Suraj lost to Gholami in the final but will be in Istanbul seeking revenge. Add to the list Maxim Sarmanov (MDA), who finished second at the U17 Euros.

Apart from Khalmakhanov, Uzbekistan will also have U17 Asian champion Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) competing at 48kg, a year after winning the silver medal at 45kg. Three other wrestlers from 2022 are also jumping from 45kg to 48kg, including Balootaki and two fifth placers — Ionut Mereuta (ROU) and Beknur Mukan (KAZ).

Murat KHATIT (AIN) could well be the runaway star at 48kg after he won the U17 Euros with two falls and two technical superiority wins. Iuri CHAPIDZE (GEO) and Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), the only two wrestlers who scored points on Khatit before getting pinned, are entered as well.

Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN) will be the favorite to win the 60kg weight class as he won the U17 European Championships in dominating fashion. But Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO) will be hoping to get his hands on Valeuski and avenge his U17 European final loss.

All four 51kg European medalists -- Ilia KANDALIN (AIN), Peter TOTOK (HUN), Ali SEYIDALILI (AZE) and Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) -- are entered. Similarly, all four European medalists at 65kg -- Petros ASHKARYAN (ARM), Giorgi TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), Constantin LUNGU (ROU) and Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) -- are also registered.

Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN) and Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) at 71kg, Stanislaw FUSSY (POL), Szabolcs SZINAY (HUN) and Adam WATERS (USA) at 80kg, Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO), Asghari, Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) and Sardorbek RUSTAMOV (UZB) at 92kg will be a few other stars to keep an eye on.

Women's Wrestling

Four gold medallists are returning in a bid to add a second U17 world title to their resume and will be the favorites as well.

India, which finished second in the team race, has two returning champions — MUSKAN (IND) and SAVITA (IND).

Muskan won the world title at 40kg but she will be at 46kg in Istanbul. It will be interesting to see how she fares in the new weight class given the challenges that come with new weight. Savita will be defending her gold medal at 61kg, a weight class she won in dominating fashion in Rome.

Savita won U17 continental title in June and will spearhead an Indian team that also includes U17 Asian champions RACHNA (IND), PARVEEN (IND), NEHA (IND), SHIKSHA  (IND), SRISHTI (IND) and KAJAL (IND). Muskan won silver at 46kg in Asia.

But can this team, which won the title in Asia, beat Japan for the title at the world level will be the biggest question.

Japan, considered the best nation in women’s wrestling, sent its second string to Asia but a top squad will be in Istanbul. It will be led by returning champion at 57kg Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN). If Uchida’s 2022 run is anything to go by, she will be the favorite to win the gold again.

2022 U17 world silver medalist Mona EZAKA (JPN) at 43kg, 2022 U20 Asia silver Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) will be at 46kg and trailblazer Rinka OGAWA (JPN) at 49kg will help Japan towards defending the title.

The 53kg weight class will be a real test for all the wrestlers at that weight as 49kg U17 world champ Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) is jumping up. So is bronze medalist Fabiana RINELLA (ITA). But the favorite will be returning silver medalist Sakura ONISHI (JPN) who was seconds away from winning the gold in 2022. She suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) in the final as she tried a desperate move and got whizzed while trailing 1-1 on criteria.

Japan will also bank on Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) as she is making a remarkable drop from 69kg to 65kg. She lost to Harshita MOR (IND) in the final at 69kg last year. Though Mor is not there, Yoshida still needs to through Shiksha and U17 European champion Duygu GEN (TUR) and silver Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN).

Konami ONO (JPN) will take the spot at 61kg and look to challenge Savita along with Ekaterina RADYSHEVA (AIN) who won the U17 European gold.

At 69kg, returning bronze Veronika VILK (CRO) will be looking for gold as she won the U17 Euros as well, winning her four bouts in Tirana via fall. She will be the favorite to win the title but can have a tough time against Srishti, Japan champion Ai SAKAI (JPN), U17 Euro silver Elif KURT (TUR) and Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) who lost to Vilk in the quarterfinal last year after leading.

Other U17 European champions in action will be Klara WINKLER (GER) at 40kg, Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN) at 43kg, Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) at 49kg, Fabiana RINELLA (ITA) at 53kg, and Ekaterina RADYSHEVA (AIN) at 61kg.

At 73kg, Kajal will be the favorite along with U17 Euro silver Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN) and Lotta ENGLICH (GER), a bronze medalist from 2022. Piper FOWLER (USA) and Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB) will be the dark horses in the race.

Freestyle

For the last two editions of the U17 World Championships, India and the US have been involved in a tight race for the title with both nations exchanging titles in 2021 and 2022.

The US is bringing two of its medalist, Christian CASTILLO (USA) and Zackary RYDER (USA), from 2022 while India has one returning bronze medalist in Jaspooran SINGH (IND).

Both the US and India dominated their respective continental championships with the former winning six gold medals and four silvers while India won one gold and four silver.

Azerbaijan, which was a close third in 2022, also has a solid squad led by U17 European champion Jafar JAFAROV (AZE). Haji KARIMOV (AZE), Jamal ABBASOV (AZE) and Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) also won gold at the U17 European Championships and will be in Istanbul. It also boasts of Bashir VERDIYEV (AZE) who was a silver medalist in Rome at 45kg but is jumping to 48kg in a bid to win a gold at the U17 world level.

Armenia won the team title in Tirana and has medalists in Sasha PETROSYAN (ARM), Samvel GEVORGYAN (ARM), Vladimir AZARYAN (ARM), Narek NIKOGHOSYAN (ARM), Razmik YEPREMYAN (ARM) and Henrik HAYKYAN (ARM).

Iran will hope to rebound from a disastrous 2022 tournament in which it won only one gold medal. At the U17 Asian Championships, Iran won six gold medals and a similar run will be expected from it at the U17 World Championships.

Castillo will look to upgrade his silver from 2022 to gold but for that, he will need to wrestle a bunch of top wrestlers including U17 European champion Giorgi MAISURADZE (GEO) and Petrosyan who was silver to Maisuradze. ROHIT (IND), the silver medalist at U17 Asia, is also entered.

For Ryder to win gold at 80kg, he will have fellow 2022 bronze medalist and now U17 European champion Alexandru BORS (MDA) and 71kg bronze medalist Yepremyan who was second to Bors in Europe. Abolfazl RAHMANI FIROUZJAEI (IRI) and Saurabh YADAV (IND) can also cause a few roadblocks.

While the two will be critical in helping the US defend the team title, it will also bank on Marcus BLAZE (USA) at 55kg, Benjamin DAVINO (USA) at 60kg who beat last year's silver Jax FORREST (USA) to make the US team, and Aoeden SINCLAIR (USA) at 92kg. Sinclair, who is coached by Ben ASKREN (USA), who will be in Istanbul, lost to Ryder in national selection trials last year.

Davino will look to contribute to the race and for that, he will have to beat a solid field. He will be joined by European champion Abassov and Asian champion Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ) and silver medalist Sajad PIRDAYEH (IRI) and Japan's national champion Akito MAEHARA (JPN).

India's only U17 Asian champion ANKUSH (IND) will try to keep the trend of India winning at least one Freestyle gold at the U17 Worlds since 2021 going. He will face Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (AIN) who was fifth at the 2021 U17 Worlds, European finalists Karimov and Gevorgyan, Amirreza TEYMORIZAD (IRI) who he defeated in the Asian final and Blaze.

Azerbaijan looks good to dethrone others and win the team title, banking on Verdiyev, Jafarov, Karimov, Abassov and Dursunov.

Verdiyev's path to 48kg gold will go through Gegi ONIANI (GEO) who defeated Verdiyev at U17 Euros 3-3. He will also face U17 Asian finalists RUPESH (IND) and Sam Reza SAYAR (IRI).

Jafarov needs to find his form again as he, at 45kg, faces Asian finalists Ahora KHATERI (IRI) and Dhanraj SHIRKE (IND), Ebubekir GUR (TUR) who scored six points on him in U17 Europeans and 2021 U17 Pan-Am champ Ignacio VILLASENOR (USA).

At 110kg, Dursunov has to negotiate Henrik HAYKYAN (ARM) who he beat in the Euro final and two bronze medalists Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) and Rusen GULER (TUR). U17 Asian champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) will be his biggest threat along with returning bronze Singh. Sampson STILLWELL (USA) and U17 Asia silver Abolfazl NEZHAD (IRI) will fancy their chances to beat Dursunov.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- The World Championships day seven will see three Greco-Roman weight classes -- 60kg, 72kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

60kg semifinals
SF 1: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) vs. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) vs. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB)

14:15: World 63kg champion will not be able to add another gold to his name as he drops his quarterfinal against Alisher GANIEV (UZB) at 60kg. Ganiev with beautiful whizzer counter when Mammadli was tried an arm-drag. He managed to turn him as well for a 6-0 lead. Ganiev gets the par terre but there is no score. There is no par terre in the second period but Mammadli gets a four-point throw. However, that is all the action in the match. A lost challenge from Azerbaijan gives Ganiev one more point as he wins 8-4.

14:11: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), a two-time world bronze medalist, stayed on a track for a better medal when he defeated Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1 in their 60kg quarterfinal by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points.

14:10: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) books his place in the 60kg semifinals with a solid 4-1 victory over SURAJ (IND). Tibilov opens with a stepout, then pads his lead with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 4-0 at the break. He resists when put on bottom in the second period, and holds on for the victory.

14:09: Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) with a beautiful headlock throw four points to beat Enes BASAR (TUR) 10-0 at 60kg. Shavadze scored a gut-wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 before the throw. Basar commits a defensive four and gets a penalty for two points. A lost challenge from Turkiye to give one more point. 

97kg Semifinals
SF 1: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW)
SF 2: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) vs. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE)

14:00: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) avoids the upset bug, but it is anything but easy in forging a 1-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) to advance to the 97kg semifinals. Saravi gets the first of the two passivity points, and that makes the difference. He gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, but can't turn the Georgian.

13:59: The shocks continue at 97kg as Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) pulls off a stunning 7-4 victory over Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) to advance to the semifinals. Maskevich leads 2-0 after getting a passivity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Rosillo uses his amazing speed and tries to spin behind for a takedown. But as they spin around like cats, Maskevich reaches over and pancakes Rosillo over for a 4-pointer. An unsuccessful challenge puts Maskevich ahead 7-0. Rosillo comes back with a takedown, and gains 2 on a leg foul, which gives Rosillo a chance in par terre. But he can't turn, and Maskevich advances.

13:52: A 1-1 victory for Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg! Sargsian beneficiary of the new rule in which the criteria remains with the wrestler who gets the first point in a 1-1 finsih. 

13:50: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is pinned! The bad run for Aleksanyan continues as Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) blocks Aleksanyan during the gut-wrench and holds him in danger position till the fall is confirmed. Ahmadiyev moves into the 97kg semifinals.

72kg Semifinals
SF 1: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ)

13:42: That has to be a first in wrestling as Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who had multiple bleeding stoppages, is medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finish. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), who was leading 4-2 at that moment, wins and advances to the 72kg semifinals. 

13:41: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) survives a tough test from Yeonghun NOH (KOR) to advance to the 72kg semifinals as he pursues a second straight gold. Noh surprises Ganizade with a headlock throw attempt right off the whistle, which is good for 2 points. A passivity point puts the Korean up 3-0 at the break. Ganizade calmly goes ahead in the second period on criteria with a throw from par terre. At the end, the Korean is denied a potential takedown due to a foul, and in the final seconds, leaps over the top in a flying squirrel attempt, but Ganizade plants him on the mat for 5 and an 8-3 victory.

13:40: For two-time Olympic medalist, Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) saw his bid for an elusive world medal dealt a serious setback when he fell 4-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Nasibov started well with a throw from par terre, but gave up a soft takedown at the end of the first period. Maulitkanov received a passivity point in the second period to go ahead on criteria. At the end, a Nasibov challenge for an imaginary foul was denied.

13:35: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) with a feet-to-back five points and a stepout to beat Michael PORTMANN (SUI) 8-0 at 72kg. He enters the semifinal for Uzbekistan.

Quarterfinals begins at the same time

13:19: Two-time European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), looking to add to the world title to the one he won last year at 63kg, needs just 33 seconds to overwhelm Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) 8-0 and advance to the 60kg quarterfinals.

13:13: European and former world bronze medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) ends his long wait to take the mat by grinding out a 1-1 victory over Artur OMAROV (CZE) at 97kg by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points. Both wrestlers had to receive treatment for a head cut and wrestled with their head bandaged.

13:10: A huge win for world U20 bronze medalist SURAJ (IND) over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). He defended the par terre position which sealed the deal for him in a 3-1 victory at 60kg.

13:02: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ung RI (PRK) gets the benefit of the doubt in a 4-point takedown in defeating Kaito INABA (JPN) 8-0 at 60kg, with the winning point coming on an unsuccessful challenge. After Ri receives a passivity point, the two are on their feet when Ri pancakes Inaba to the mat -- although it appears he used his foot to trip the Japanese -- then adds a gut wrench. The Japanese side challenges, but the judge says the move was valid, ending the match.

13:01: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) makes short work of Richard KARELSON (EST), launching a 4-point throw from par terre than scoring a 4-point takedown to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals with a 9-0 win in 2:39.

13:00: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) uses his incredible gut-wrench to finish his bout 9-0 against Zegang WANG (CHN). However, China challenges for a leg-foul. On review, Aleksanyan's two turn are validate and the third and fourth are cancelled for foul. Wang gets par terre in second period but Aleksanyan defends well to win 5-1 at 97kg.

12:56: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) advances to the 72kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Gor KHACHATRYAN (ARM). After a stepout, Ghanem gets an exposure from par terre for a 4-0 lead at the break, then gets a second passivity point in the second.

12:54: European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) gets off to a good start at 60kg, putting together an 8-0 victory over Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL). Tibilov gets two turns from par terre, then counters an attack by Skrzypczak for another 2 to lead 7-0 at the break. He ends the match with a stepout. 24 seconds into the second period.

12:52: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets both the passivity points in his 4-0 victory over NITESH (IND) and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg. He is looking for his second world title.

12:50: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) brings down Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a 5-1 victory at 97kg. Ahmadiyev defends the gut-wrench attempt from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:46: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) gets the first passivity point and then defends while on the bottom, putting him into the 97kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win over Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

12:45: Reigning world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) clears his first hurdle at 72kg, easily handling Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) in a 6-0 victory. Ganizade opens with a stepout and a passivity point and, although he can't turn Merabet, he scores a takedown to go up 4-0 at the break. Ganizade spins behind for a takedown in the second to cap the win.

12:32: Former world champion and three-time world medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) tumbles out in his opening match at 72kg, falling 5-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). Maulitkanov jumps out to a 4-1 lead when Arsalan cuts the gap with a takedown to end the first period. Late in the second period, Arsalan in on the verge of getting a takedown but can't finish it off. On challenge, it is discovered he not only did not score points, but committed a leg foul.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) steps closer to his first world medal as he beats Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-0, at 72kg. Both par terre positions to Nasibov in that match

12:15: Michael PORTMANN (SUI) continues his winning run as he now defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR), 8-2, at 72kg. 

12:07: Kaito INABA (JPN), Asian medalist, begins his quest for a world medal with a 5-5 criteria win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg. 

12:01: It takes a while to sort out an interesting exchange between Olympic bronze medalist and five-time Asian medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg. Dzhuzupbekov tries to spin behind off an arm drag, but Gabr catches the arm and steps over. On challenge, both are given a 2-point exposure, with Dzhuzupbekov having the last-point criteria. That gives him the win when there is no scoring in the second period, with the customary late challenge only making the score 3-2.

11:50: Former world silver medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) loses the advantage by giving up the first passivity point against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) at 97kg, but he doesn't need it. Put on top in par terre in the second period, he hits a 2-point throw, which he quickly follows with a gut wrench. He gets an added bonus of a 2-point fleein penalty, and is put back on top. But his bear hug throw attempt goes awry and he only gets a stepout. No matter, he walks away an 8-1 winner.

11:25: Olympic bronze medalist and 2023 world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) picks up a quick 4 against Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE), then uses his speed to get behind for two takedowns to advance at 97kg with an 8-0 victory in 2:17.

11:24: Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gives up a quick stepout to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), but responds with one himself. Put on top in par terre, Sohrabi wastes no time, firing off four rolls for a 10-1 win in just over two minutes at 72kg.

11:24: Host Croatia loses its presence in a span of minutes, when Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) falls 4-1 to Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at 72kg on Mat C, and shortly after on Mat B, NITESH (IND) gets a late gut wrench to oust Filip SMETKO (CRO) 3-2 at 97kg.

11:17: Two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), searching for his first world medal, begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) at 72kg.

11:08: European champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) bulls his way to three stepouts in the second period and a 4-0 victory over Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 72kg.

11:08: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), winner of the Ranking Series events in Budapest and Tirana, gets the first chance in par terre against  two-time world bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, but his roll is annulled on challenge for a leg foul. Can fares much better when he gets the chance, throwing Lomadze for 2 and holding on for a 3-1 win.

11:00: Not to be for Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at 72kg. The Japanese was trying to win a medal in Greco-Roman, two years after he won the world gold medal in Freestyle 70kg. But Michael PORTMANN (SUI), he drops his opening bout 2-1. Portmann scored a stepout apart from the par terre points.  

10:30: The World Championships will continue with Greco-Roman with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg in Zagreb