WATCH: #WrestleBudapest Women's Wrestling Finals

Saturday, April 2, 2022 - 10:06 By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (April 2) -- Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) led the Turkish women's team to the European title after winning golds as 76kg and 50kg, respectively. Adar grabbed her fifth continental title with a second-period match-deciding takedown against reigning European champion Epp MAE (EST), while Demirhan upset Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) in the 50kg finals.

Ukraine, led by Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) and Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) gold-medal wins, finished in second place in the team race, five points behind Turkey. They won their golds at 57kg and 65kg, respectively.

Bulgaria closed out the competition with a third-place finish. Their lone champ was Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL), who picked up a ninth European medal and third gold with a 7-0 shutout win over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) in the 62kg finals.

Here are all of their gold-medal finals, and the rest of the 2022 women's wrestling European finals from Budapest.

50kg: Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) df. Miglena SELISHKA (BUL), via fall

Turkey won its third-ever gold medal at the European Championships when Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) pinned defending champion Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) in just a minute and 55 seconds.

The 26-year-old was caught off guard when Selishka went for a takedown at the beginning but in the same sequence, Demirhan overturned it and scored two for herself.

The former U23 world champion from Turkey continued to put pressure on Selishka and ultimately managed to keep the Bulgarian to her back and get the fall.

"I am very happy to win gold," Demirhan said. "This was the first time I wrestled my opponent [Selishka] and I can't believe it." Demirhan's coming-of-age performance was a testimony of how the 50kg wrestler has grown since winning the gold at the U23 Worlds five years ago.

"I beat all the opponents that I lost to in the past and this is my first gold at the senior level so I am very happy," she said.

53kg: Emma MALMGREN (SWE) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2

Emma MALMGREN (SWE) defeated three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2, to win the gold medal at 53kg.

The 20-year-old Malmgren trailed Prevolarki 2-2 at the break but she got a point for inactivity from Prevolaraki to lead 3-2 in the second period.

She defended that lead till the end to win Sweden's first gold at the senior European Championships after four years.

"It feels unreal for me to stand here," she said. "This has been a dream for me and I have worked so hard to stand here. So it feels good to walk home with the gold medal."

Malmgren had Yuliya RATKEVICH (AZE), who wrestled the Greek wrestler at the London Olympics, in her corner, and before the final, the two had a chat about how to tackle the veteran.

"We had a good plan before the match I just kept to it," she said. "She [Ratkevich] did tell me a lot of things about her and I am glad that they are here with me. Sofia [MATTSSON] on the phone. It came out very good."

Malmgren had a great tournament as she won her first bout 12-2 and the semifinal via fall. After a disappointing tournament in Istanbul where she was pinned, it came around well.

"I am satisfied with my wrestling over the two days," she said. "I was very disappointed after Istanbul and a little concerned. Now I am feeling very happy with the result. We have new coaches in Sweden and I will start working with them and continue going with them to camps around the world."

55kg: Andreea (ROU) df. Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

Ana becomes her nation's first-ever senior European champion in women's wrestling. Add to that the maiden U23 European gold she won two weeks ago in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Ana defeated Ukraine's young superstar Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), 7-5 in the 55kg with a thrilling buzzer-beating four-pointer. "

I think the gold in Belgrade helped me break the mental block I had in finals. That is why I had a lot of bronze and silver medals," Ana had said in Plovdiv.

Perhaps that helped her remain calm even when she was trailing by two points with just 11 seconds. Ana and Khomenets matched each move-for-move and it was only an inactivity point that separated the two. Ana led 1-0 at the break but soon increased the pace of the bout and scored a takedown 33 seconds into the second period.

Khomenetes also matched that and 39 seconds later and scored two takedowns inside 30 seconds to lead 4-3. She added a step-out and had a 5-3 lead with just 11 seconds remaining.

When it looked all over, Ana managed to blast a double-leg and score four points and end Romania's wait for a gold medal in women's wrestling at the senior event.

"I am feeling good and proud of myself," Ana said. "I have a lot of emotions and sensations and I am happy that it ended like this. I know she [Khomenets] is strong but my technique was better to win."

57kg: Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

Alina Hrushyna Akobiia (UKR) claimed the first gold of the tournament for Ukraine and the chants of 'Ukarina, Ukarina' filled the Bok Sports Hall.

“I still can’t believe I’ve won the gold medal of the senior European championship," Akobiia said. "I’ve come through a tough way and a lot of people have helped me. But now, all of Ukraine has helped me. I am really happy."

Akobiia stunned Tokyo bronze medalist Evelina Nikolova (BUL) in the 57kg final to claim the first gold of the tournament for her country.

She was trailing 2-2 when Akobiia tripped Nikolova for four points with 39 seconds remaining. She won the final, 6-2.

This was Akobiia's first-ever gold medal at the senior championships and it could not have been more special, as she dedicated the medal to Ukraine.

"I want to dedicate my gold to my parents and to my motherland Ukraine. These are the closest things to me," she said.

59kg: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL)

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) becomes two-time senior European champion. Just two weeks ago, she had captured gold medals at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

In a bracket with only seven wrestlers, Nichita outscored her opponents 26-3 with two wins over Jowita WRZESIEN (POL). After beating the Poland wrestler in the opening round 4-2, Nichita repeated that performance in the final winning 4-1.

Wrzesien scored the opening takedown but Nichita answered with a takedown and led 2-1. The Poland World bronze medalist kept the former U23 world champion quiet for the first four minutes but then she switched levels in the final two minutes to win.

62kg: Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 7-2

Tokyo bronze medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) managed to claim the gold with a comfortable 7-0 victory over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER). She kept the pressure on her German opponent and never looked in trouble.

"I was without the gold for two years at the European Championships," Yusein said. "It was good for me to come back and win the gold. My plan was to take advantage of my opponent's mistakes. It was a great bout."

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), via fall

The second gold medal for the team went to Tetiana Rizhko (UKR) who pinned Tokyo Olympian Elis Manolova (AZE) inside two minutes to win her maiden senior European gold.

That medal from Rizhko sent another wave of emotional reactions not only in the Ukraine team but also in the stadium.

"It took me four days to reach Lviv, then we stayed there for three days because we couldn’t leave, then we came here to Hungary, we spent two weeks in a training camp," Rizhko said.

"The wrestling association helped us a lot, the national team coaches who organized this trip. We have two gold." Talking about her final, the Ukrainian said that she did not expect her to pin Manolova.

"I didn’t expect I would pin her so fast because the final was tough as there is high competition in my weight class," she said. "I am full of emotions. I am so glad we have such coaches and girls who came here with us."

68kg: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 10-0

Irina Ringaci (MDA) won her second senior European title. She was more dominant in the final against Pauline Lecarpentier (FRA) as hit a whizzer and then added three takedowns to win 10-0 in four minutes.

"One more gold medal in my collection," Ringaci said. "My opponents were well-prepared but my wrestling had proved who is the best."

Since moving to the Olympic weight class of 68kg, the junior and senior world champ has consistently improved. "The Olympics are coming so I have to move up to 68kg and be ready to wrestle in this category," she said.

"I am happy I’ve won as it was one of my dreams to become a senior European champion."

72kg: Anna SCHELL (GER) df. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR), via fall

Anna SCHELL (GER) gave Germany its lone gold of the tournament as she pinned Buse TOSUN (TUR) at 72kg. The win was her second straight win over the Turkey wrestler and she will now be UWW's number one ranked wrestler at 72kg.

"It's the second final because in Istanbul I met her in the semifinal. Today was the second bout against her and it's great to win," Schell said.

Not only did she end Germany's 15-year wait for a women's wrestling gold at European Championships, but Schell also reached a personal landmark. The gold in Budapest was the first ever in her international career.

"It's amazing as I don't have a gold medal in international competition," Schell said.

Turkey won its maiden women's wrestling team title with 140 points while Ukraine finished second with 135 points. Bulgaria was third in the race.

76kg: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Epp MAE (EST), 3-1

Yasemin Adar added a fifth gold medal to her collection of European gold medals after defeating long-time rival Epp MAE (EST) in the final.

"It's after two years I am wrestling at the Europeans and the first time since the Olympics," Adar said. "I was not in Warsaw. I am very happy to win five Euros."

The 3-1 win helped Adar maintain her perfect record over Mae. Adar has defeated the '21 World silver medalist in her previous three meetings, two of them coming at the continental level.

"I always tell the young girls on the team that follow your dreams," she said. "All five medals are the same. Only a gold medal can run with the flag on the mat and that's very important for me."

#WrestleBelgrade

Women's Wrestling seeds announced for 2022 World Championships

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 - 14:09 By Eric Olanowski

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (August 23) – With only 17 days left until the 2022 World Championships (September 10-18), United World Wrestling has released the tentative top eight women's wrestling seeds.

The point-based seeds were determined by a wrestler's participation and placement at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, 2021 World Championships, 2022 Continental Championships, 2022 Ranking Series events, and selected Regional Games.

Although it's highly unlikely that the brackets play out exactly how their seeded, but if the seeds were to hold through the finals in the top-eight seeded system, here's how the bracket will look leading up to the gold-medal match:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 vs. No. 8 (top side)
No. 4 vs. No. 5 (top side)
No. 2 vs. No. 7 (bottom side)
No. 3 vs. No. 6 (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 vs. No. 4 (top side)
No. 2 vs. No. 3 (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 vs. No. 2

*National Federations were required to submit their world entries by last week but can still update them until 24 hours before the draws. This means these seeds and entries are subject to change.

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50kg seeds:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)
No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
No. 3 Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL)
No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU)
No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL)
No. 6 Madison Bianca PARKS (CAN)
No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE)
No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)

If seeds hold at 50kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) (top side)
No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) vs. No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) (top side)
No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE) (bottom side)
No. 3 Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) vs. No. 6 Madison PARKS (CAN) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) (top side)
No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. No. 3 Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN)

Hildebrandt holds top seed at 50kg
Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) holds the top spot in the stacked 50kg bracket featuring four seeded wrestlers with world finals experience -- two of which are on the opposite side from the American.

Hildebrandt finished on the podium at the Olympic Games and World Championships before winning golds at the Pan-American Championships and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event en route to grabbing the No. 1 spot. Fortunately, she's on opposite sides of the bracket from reigning Olympic champion No. 2 Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and four-time Olympic medalist No. 7 Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Hildebrandt will share the top side of the bracket with No. 8 Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), No. 4 Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) and No. 5 Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL). The two-time world finalist will take on reigning European champion Demirhan in the quarterfinals, then will wrestle either two-time world silver medalist Vuc or Dolgorjav.

On the lower side, Susaki and Stadnik will meet in the quarterfinals in a rematch from the 2018 world finals and 2020 Tokyo Olympic semifinals. In those Budapest and Tokyo bouts, Susaki outscored Stadnik 21-0.

If Susaki picks up a third straight win over Stadnik, she'll meet the winner of No. 3 Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and No. 6 Madison PARKS (CAN).

53kg seeds:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)
No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN)
No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
No. 5 Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE)
No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)
No. 7 Dominique Olivia PARRISH (USA)
No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

If seeds hold at 53kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) (top side)
No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) vs. No. 5 Emma MALMGREN (SWE) (top side)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA) vs. No. 7 Dominique PARRISH (USA) (bottom side)
No. 3 Samantha STEWART (CAN) vs. No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)vs. No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA)

Top-seeded Funjinami is riding a 103-match win streak in Belgrade
Japan's 18-year-old phenom Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) headlines the seeds at 53kg. The reigning world champion heads into Belgrade riding a 103-match win streak and is looking to claim a second straight senior world title.

Fujinami will contend with veteran and two-time Olympian No. 8 Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in the quarterfinals. Then, barring a meltdown, she'll meet either No. 4 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) or reigning European champion No. 5 Emma MALMGREN (SWE) for a spot in the finals.

On the bottom half of the 53kg chart, No. 2 Iulia LEORDA (MDA) earned the second seed after her runner-up finish at last year's World Championships and back-to-back bronze-medal finishes at the Yasar Dogu and European Championships.

Leorda will have a tough quarterfinals match, as she's expected to take on reigning Pan-American champion No. 7 Dominique PARRISH (USA). If she can get past the American, she'll take a world bronze medalist in No. 3 Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) or No. 6 Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) in the semis.

Stewart is a reigning senior-level world bronze medalist, while Yetgil is a two-time U23 world bronze medal winner.

55kg seeds
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)
No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU)
No. 4 Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA)
No. 5 Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL)
No. 6 Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND)
No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)

If seeds hold at 55kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) (top side)
No. 4 Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. No. 5 Roksana ZASINA (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) vs. No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) (bottom side)
No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) vs. No. 6 Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 4 Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA) (top side)
No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) vs. No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. No. 2 Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

Hemmer holds No. 1 seed at 55kg
Oslo world runner-up Nina HEMMER (GER) heads into the World Championships as the No. 1 seed at 55kg. In addition to her silver-medal finish at the World Championships, Hemmer also won the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event and finished in fourth place at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event.

Hemmer's quarterfinals opponent will be Bolat Turlykhanov Ranking Series champion No. 8 Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ). However, her semifinal road will be significantly more challenging as she expected to meet '19 world champion No. 4 Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) or No. 5 Roksana ZASINA (POL).

On the lower side of the chart, Ukraine's next big thing Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), earned the second seed after her world bronze medal and European silver medal finish.

Khomenets' quarterfinal opponenet will be No. 7 Sushma SHOKEEN (IND). If the 19-year-old Ukrainian star wins that, she'll wrestle her European finals opponent No. 3 Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) or Pan-American gold medalist No. 6 Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN).

57kg seeds:
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)
No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX)
No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER)
No. 6 Mansi MANSI (IND)
No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR)
No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL)

If seeds hold at 57kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL) (top side)
No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX) vs. No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) (top side)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) (bottom side)
No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) vs. No. 6 Mansi MANSI (IND) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 4 Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA) (top side)
No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Helen Louise MAROULIS (USA) vs. No. 2 Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

Maroulis maintains top seed at 57kg
Helen MAROULIS (USA) nabbed the top seed at 57kg after winning world gold in Oslo and Olympic bronze in Tokyo last season. She also earned ranking points from her top-five finish at the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event.

Maroulis will have her hands full in the quarterfinals, as she'll wrestle against Poland's reigning U23 world champion No. 8 Anhelina LYSAK (POL). If the Rio Olympic champ wins that match, she'll compete against Mexico's first-ever women's wrestling Olympian No. 4 Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX) or No. 5 Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER).

The lower side of the 57kg bracket received a shock earlier this week as reigning world and Asian silver medalist Anshu ANSHU (IND) underwent right elbow surgery. She was seeded No. 3 at the weight but is expected to be replaced by Mansi MANSI (IND), who moved into the No. 6 seed in Anshu's absence.

Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) owns the second seed on the bottom of the chart.

Nikovlova will have No. 7 Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) in the quarterfinals. It'll be a rematch from the 2022 European finals, where the Ukrainian wrestler picked up a huge upset over the Bulgarian.

The winner of Nikovlova and Hrushyna Akobiia will take on the winner of No. 3 Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and No. 6 Mansi.

59kg seeds:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL)
No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)
No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR)
No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER)

If seeds hold at 59kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) vs. No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER) (top side)
No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) vs. No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) (top side)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) (bottom side)
No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) vs. No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND)vs. No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) (top side)
No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) vs. No. 2 Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)

Sarita storms to top seed at 59kg
No. 1 Sarita SARITA (IND) proved she's one of the best wrestlers in the world at 59kg. Over the last year, she's only lost two matches. After losing at the World and Asian Championships, she fought back and won bronze medals. She also won Ranking Series titles at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup and Zouhaier Sghaier, which helped her earn the top billing at 59kg.

Sarita sits on the top side of the bracket with No. 8 Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER), No. 4 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) and No. 5 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA). If Sarita gets past Brugger, she'll likely have Nichita. Although Kolesnik is seeded higher, Nichita has been wrestling on another level this year.

Nachita is undefeated this season, winning U23 and Senior European titles to go along with her Yasar Dogu Ranking Series gold medal.

On the bottom side, Mongolia's Oslo world bronze medal winner Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) is seeded second. She'll wrestle No. 7 Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) in the quarterfinals before meeting the winner of No. 3 Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL) and No. 6 Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR).

62kg seeds:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA)
No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA)
No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR)
No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN)
No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
No. 8 Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER)

If seeds hold at 62kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER) (top side)
No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) vs. No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) (top side)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA) vs. No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) (bottom side)
No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) vs. No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) (top side)
No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA) vs. No. 3 Kayla MIRACLE (USA) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. No. 2 Lais NUNES (BRA)

Tynybekova takes 62kg top seed
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) tops the 62kg bracket and has put herself in a prime position to win a third consecutive world title.

Tynybekova earned the No. 1 seed after a silver-medal finish at the Olympic Games, a world title in Oslo and a runner-up finish at the Asian Championships. She'll have to get through No. 8 Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) in the quarterfinals to set up a possible Asian finals rematch with No. 4 Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

Tynybekova injury defaulted out of their Asian finals and settled for second place.

For the Tynybekova and Ozaki rematch to happen, the Japanese wrestler has to get through European bronze medalist No. 5 Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) in the quarterfinals.

Lais NUNES (BRA) earned the nod for the second seed on the bottom side of the chart. She's arguably the most traveled wrestler in the world this season. She started the season off at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, where she scored a tech fall over top seeded Tynybekova. Then, she wrestled at the Pan-American Championships, Matteo Pellicone and Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series events before wrapping up her pre-world championship tour at the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial.

Nunes will face No. 7 Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) in the quarters. In their last meeting, the Brazilian fell to the Canadian in a back and forth 7-5 battle and went on to win a bronze medal, while Godinez went on to grab gold in Acapulco.

If Nunes can avenge that loss, she'll take on reigning world runner-up No. 3 Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) or Rio Olympic bronze medalist No. 6 Marwa AMRI (TUN) in the semifinals.

65kg seeds:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU)
No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL)
No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)
No. 6 Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA)
No. 7 Asli DEMIR (TUR)
No. 8 Mallory Maxine VELTE (USA)

If seeds hold at 65kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 8 Mallory VELTE (USA) (top side)
No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) vs. No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) (top side)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. No. 7 Asli DEMIR (TUR) (bottom side)
No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) vs. No. 6 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 4 Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) (top side)
No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) vs. No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. No. 2 Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)

Morikawa secures No. 1 seeda at 65kg
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) heads into Belgrade possessing the top seed at 65kg. She won the Asian Championships earlier this year and a silver medal at last year's World Championships.

Morikawa's first seeded opponent will be No. 8 Mallory VELTE (USA), who she'll see in the quarterfinals. If she wins that match, she'll take on the winner of No. 4 Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) and No. 5 Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR).

On the bottom side, Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) is seeded second. She picked up the second seed after runner-up finishes at the European Championships and the Bolat Turlykhanov Ranking Series event. She'll wrestle No. 3 Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) or No. 6 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) in the semifinals.

68kg seeds
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA)
No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)
No. 5 Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL)
No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA)
No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN)
No. 8 Pauline Denise LECARPENTIER (FRA)

If seeds hold at 68kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) (top side)
No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) vs. No. 5 Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL) (top side)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) vs. No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN) (bottom side)
No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) vs. No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA K(GZ) vs. No. 4 Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) (top side)
No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) vs. No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA K(GZ) vs. No. 2 Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)

Zhumanazarova gains top seed from Olympic champ Mensah Stock

Reigning world champ Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) seized the top seed at 68kg after four podium finishes at point-based events. After finishing in third place at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Kyrgyz star won gold at the Oslo World Championships. During her 2022 campaign, she picked up silver medals at the Yasar Dogu and Asian Championships.

Through her efforts in wrestling at point-based events, Zhumanazarova put herself on the opposite side of the bracket as Olympic medalists No. 2 Tamyra Mariama MENSAH STOCK (USA) and No. 3 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), and reigning 65kg world champion No. 6 Irina RINGACI (MDA).

Olympic champion Mensah Stock headlines the bottom side of the bracket as the second-seeded wrestler. She'll see No. 7 ZHOU Feng (CHN) in the quarters. Mensah fell to Zhou in the finals of Matteo Pellicone a few years ago. If she can avenge that loss, she'll take on the winner of Oborududu or Ringaci for a finals berth.

72kg seeds:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR)
No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN)
No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)
No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU)
No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND)
No. 7 Kendra Augustine Jocelyne DACHER (FRA)
No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)

If seeds hold at 72kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) (top side)
No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) vs. No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) (top side)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) vs. No. 7 Kendra Augustine Jocelyne DACHER (FRA) (bottom side)
No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN) vs. No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) (top side)
No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) vs. No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR)

Bakbergenova bags top billing at 72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) bagged the top billing at 72kg after an undefeated 2022 season. After closing out last year as a world runner-up, the Kazakh won gold at the Asian Championships and picked up Ranking Series titles at the Yasar Dogu and Bolat Turlykhanov Cup.

Bakbergenova's first seeded opponent will come in the quarterfinals against No. 8 Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR). Then, in the semifinals, she'll compete against the winner of No. 4 Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) and No. 5 Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU).

On the bottom side, it'll be No. 2 Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) and No. 7 Kendra DACHER (FRA) in the quarterfinals. Then, the winner of that match will square off against the victor of No. 3 Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and No. 6 Bipasha BIPASHA (IND).

76kg seeds:
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY)
No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST)
No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR)
No. 5 Francy RAEDELT (GER)
No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR)
No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT
No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU)

If seeds hold at 76kg:

Quarterfinals:
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU) (top side)
No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs. No. 5 Francy RAEDELT (GER) (top side)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) vs. No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT ) bottom side)
No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST) vs. No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR) (bottom side)

Semifinals:
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) (top side)
No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) vs. No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST) (bottom side)

Finals:
No. 1 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY)

Medet Kyzy becomes third Kyrgyz wrestler to earn No. 1 seed
In the absence of six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) picked up the No. 1 seed at 76kg. Since winning her world bronze medal in Oslo last year, Medet Kyzt has been on an absolute tear. She won golds at the U23 World and Asian Championships, Senior Asian Championships, and Bolat Trlykhanov and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series events.

Medet Kyzy's will wrestle No. 8 Catalina AXENTE (ROU) in the quarterfinals. Then, barring something catastrophic, she'll likely wrestle former world champion No. 4 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) for a spot in the world finals.

On the lower half of the bracket, the quarterfinals will feature a matchup of world bronze medalists, as No. 2 Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA (EGY) and No. 7 Martina KUENZ (AUT) will go toe-to-toe. The winner of that match will take on either European champion No. 3 Epp MAEE (EST) or No. 6 Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTO)VA (UKR).