#WrestleAthens

U17 Worlds: Kostiuk ends Ukraine's wait for gold; Okonogi, Ismayilov upgrade

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 18:21 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ATHENS, Greece (August 2) -- Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) ended a nine-year wait for a gold medal at World U17 Championships for Ukraine as he won the 80kg title in Athens, Greece on Saturday.

Ukraine has not had a world U17 champion since 2016 and a world champion in Freestyle since 2021. Kostiuk's gold was a double delight as he had won gold at European U17 Championships in June as well.

In the final facing Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), Kostiuk was called passive and put on activity clock. He did not score in those 30 seconds but managed to get a takedown just before the break and led 2-1.

Karami was put on the activity clock in the second period and as he failed to score, Kostiuk's lead swelled to 3-1. Karami had 25 seconds to score two points but Kpstiuk kept his defense and captured the gold with a 3-1 score.

Ariah MILLS (USA)Ariah MILLS (USA) won the 48kg gold medal for the United States. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

That was the second loss in the final for Iran as it had suffered a loss at the 48kg weight class. That was the first final of the night on Saturday and Ariah MILLS (USA) gave no chance to Sina BOUSTANI (IRI) in the gold-medal bout.

While he was the one put on activity clock in the first period, Mills wasn't the one to defend. He had some fast re-attacks to stun Boustani. Mills gave up that activity clock point and as Boustani was setting up leg attack, Mills hit a counter and scored the takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

Boustani had his chance to score reclaim the lead but Mills, who kept his distance, perhaps to have space to counter, got another takedown after a scramble. The U.S. wrestler managed to score a go-behind and two turns to win 12-1 and get the first gold medal in Freestyle for the U.S. 

Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN), a returning bronze medalist, upgraded his medal to gold and in style. Down 4-0 against Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB) in the final, he scored one of the perfect five-pointers using the headpinch and over the head throw to lead 5-4 in the final minute.

This was not the only time Okonogi had to make a big comeback in Athens. In his quarterfinals, he defeated Zhakshylyk BOROBAEV (KGZ), 9-8, after scoring a takedown and turn in last 10 seconds.

Okonogi had a 4-1 win over Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI) in his opening match and an 8-2 domination of Greyton BURNETT (USA) in the semifinals.

Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE)Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Silver medalist from 2024 Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) got a anti-climatic 1-1 victory over Arseni KIKINIOU (USA) in the 65kg final and won his first gold medal after finishing with three silvers in three different championships.

Kikiniou was the first to get a point on board as Ismayilov was called passive. He failed to score in the 30 seconds and the U.S. wrestler got a point.

In the second period, Kikiniou was called passive and Ismayilov got a point and the 1-1 criteria lead. He had a minute left in the bout to defend his lead and Kikiniou threw every thing at him. However, Ismayilov defended with determination and won the gold medal.

Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW)Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) held on to his 6-4 lead to win the 110kg final against LACKY (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 110kg gold medal went to Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) who defeated LACKY (IND), 6-4, in the final. Omarov was down 2-2 on criteria at the break but he hit a stepout and Lacky was cautioned for fleeing, giving one more point to Omarov who now led 4-2.

Lacky tried to finish his leg-attacks but Omarov was quick to either defend or escape. During one of those attacks, Omarov managed to score a go-behind and got two points which made his lead 6-2. Lacky, with 17 seconds left in the bout, went for one final attack and scored a takedown. However, he was not able to turn Omarov which could have given him the criteria win.

Omarov defended the gut-wrench attempt and despite being in the air, did not turn more than 90 degrees. The win made Omarov an European and world champion in the same year.

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Ariah MILLS (USA) df. Sina BOUSTANI (IRI), 12-1

BRONZE: Islam RABADANOV (UWW) df. Ravan HASANZADE (AZE), 11-9
BRONZE: Dovudbek BAKHADIROV (KGZ) df. Masamune USHIMADO (JPN), 12-0

55kg
GOLD: Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN) df. Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB), 5-4

BRONZE: Greyton BURNETT (USA) df. Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI), 4-0
BRONZE: Chingis SARYGLAR (UWW) df. Jovanni TOVAR (COL), 8-2

65kg
GOLD: Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) df. Arseni KIKINIOU (USA), 1-1

BRONZE: Morteza HAJ (IRI) df. Gourav PUNIA (IND), 8-8
BRONZE: Adisbek ALTYNBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yeraly ASKERBEK (KAZ), 7-1

80kg
GOLD: Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) df. Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), 3-1

BRONZE: Dinmukhammed KASSYMBEK (KAZ) df. Ivan PASLARI (MDA), 5-4
BRONZE: Issa ZANGIEV (UWW) df. Berat ERTURK (TUR), 5-2

110kg
GOLD: Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) df. LACKY (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Hakim TAGHIYEV (AZE) df. Stefan STEFANOV (BUL), 1-1
BRONZE: Amirhossein NAGHDALIPOUR (IRI) df. Murtaz BAGDAVADZE (GEO), 11-0

#JapanWrestling

Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:19 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TOKYO (May 24) -- Where is Masanosuke ONO (JPN)?

A question that has intrigued both fans and wrestlers alike as Ono continues to missing from international wrestling since he became the world champion at 61kg in 2024.

Ono watched the Meiji Cup 2026 in Tokyo as he was in Japan to change his United States visa. Since he did not participate in the 2025 Emperor's Cup, Ono was ineligible to participate in the Meiji Cup.

 United World Wrestling caught up with Ono on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup in Tokyo. Ono talks about his comeback, plan for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, life at Penn State and more:

UWW Plus

Excerpts:

- Why did you not participate in the Meiji Cup

Ono: I suppose it’s only natural that I can’t play because I don’t have the right to do so. That’s just the way things are in Japan. I’m aiming to make a comeback so that I can play in the next Emperor’s Cup and Meiji Cup. This has been a good period of preparation for that.

- How are your preparation for the comeback?

Ono: I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now, so I’m absolutely fine. It’s just that I haven’t competed much since the World Championships ended about two years ago, and there’s a part of me that simply can’t suppress the urge to get back out there. So I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition soon and giving it my all.

- When will you compete next?

Ono: I’ll be aiming to qualify [for Emperor's Cup]. As for the weight class, I’m thinking of competing in the 61kg category at the Shakaijin Championships. [The Shakaijin Championships will be held on July 11]. Once I’ve qualified, I’m not quite sure yet whether I’ll move down a weight class, stay in the same one, or move up, but I’m planning to set myself some clear goals.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)Masanosuke ONO (JPN) giving interview on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Ikuo Higuchi)

- How challenging life is at Penn State in the United States?

Ono: I imagine there are plenty of challenges. The rules of wrestling are different there, so there’s a lot to learn. I’m always being taught and helped by others. When it comes to what I’ve actually taken on board, it’s obviously wrestling. As for other aspects of school life, I wasn’t really the type who was naturally good at studying. I’m currently studying philosophy at a university in the United States, and whilst it’s a bit tricky, I’m doing my best in my own way.

- What is your daily routine?

Ono: I have practice in the morning, then I go to lessons, then there’s another practice session around midday, and then in the evening - or rather, in the late afternoon - I study with the translator.

- How's your experience at Penn State and Folkstyle?

Ono: I do a lot of Folkstyle, and I do a bit of Freestyle as well, but there’s so much to learn that I’m still very much a novice. When it comes to training, coach Cael SANDERSON, and his brother Cody, who’s also a coach, as well as Casey CUNNINGHAM and Nick LEE. Everyone, both the students and my flat mates, are really strong, so I’m learning a hell of a lot from them.

There really are so many movements that are unique to Folkstyle, I still feel a bit of a gap there. But once I’ve got the hang of it, I reckon I’ll be able to grow even more myself without losing sight of the good bits. If I just focus on that one thing, it’ll disappear, so I’m thinking I’ll keep 95 per cent of my style exactly as it is and just add a few bits here and there.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) showing his grades.

- Do you like studying Philosophy? 

Ono: Philosophy. No, I don’t really get it. (Ono scored a remarkable 3.74 CGPA in his last semester).

- Why did you decide to wrestle Folkstyle?

Ono: I want to do Folkstyle more because I like Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. I was world champ maybe two years ago, but I know Freestyle like 95 percent but Folkstyle, that I don't know. So I mean, I just I'm excited compete Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. 

- When will you compete for Penn State and why have you not yet?

Ono: I don't know why. If the coaches say you go, I go. I am learning for maybe just one year. It's kind of hard.

- Marcus BLAZE (USA) is your roommate. What you learn from him?

Ono: He's my roommate and in my weight. He's great guy. He's my weight maybe. I learn a lot from him. He likes pickleball. He likes something like outside. I cannot drive. I don't have license. So he drive me around there.

- If you want to go to 2028 LA Olympics, what is the path for you? If it's at 57kg, will you take inspiration from Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who made it at 57kg for Paris?

Ono: I compete at December competition because of 2028 Olympics trial. I have to. I mean my weight like around 64kg so maybe this difficult. Living in America, when the Olympics are held here, you can’t exactly just give up on the idea of competing, you can’t just walk away from it. But when it comes to the Olympics, at 57 or 65kg, with the 8kgs mark being a key hurdle, it’s certainly a challenge. So I thought I’d just have to take it step by step, listening to my body as I go along. I’m not really that bothered about winning or losing. I just want to wrestle, so to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.

Higuchi is amazing. I am sure he is mentally tough. I like to eat and I like chipotle.

- Which weight class are you aiming for?

Ono: If [Rei] Higuchi were to join us at 57kg, I’d be absolutely chuffed. I’d be just as chuffed if we played with Higuchi at 65kg, or with [Kotaro] Kiyooka at 65kg. I’m not sure about [Toshihiro] Hasegawa, but I reckon [Rin] Sakamoto would be there. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if they all got together?