2026 U17 World Championships

Women's Wrestling Watch at U17 World Championships 2026

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - 13:22 By Vinay Siwach

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Wrestling Taina FERNANDEZ (USA)

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 28) -- Wrestlers at the U17 World Championships will breathe a sigh of relief. China, Asia's top team at this level, will not compete in the tournament in Baku.

With China absent, Japan, India and the United States emerge as the leading contenders for the team title. India won the championship last year, with the U.S. finishing second and Japan third.

Despite China's absence, the wrestling in Baku promises to be top-notch. From individual milestones to the battle for the team title, there will be no shortage of compelling storylines.

Fernandez Chases Third Gold

Among the biggest storylines is Taina FERNANDEZ (USA), a two-time U17 world champion at 61kg. Now competing at 69kg, Fernandez is chasing a third U17 world title. A gold medal would make history, as she would become the first non-Japanese wrestler to win three U17 world championships.

Only four wrestlers have won three U17 world titles, all of them Japanese women: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) [2011, 2012, 2013], Kika KAGATA (JPN) [2012, 2013, 2014], Yui SUSAKI (JPN) [2014, 2015, 2016] and Honoka NAKAI (JPN) [2017, 2018, 2019].

Fernandez, yet to lose an international bout, faces a stern test after moving up eight kilograms to 69kg. Her opening opponent is U17 Asian silver medalist TANIYA (IND). Hopefully, the commentators don't confuse Taina and Taniya.

The bracket also features U17 European champion Kiymet TEZCAN (TUR), bronze medalists Nino SAMKHARADZE (GEO) and Polina EFIMOVA (RUS), as well as Hibiki IIDA (JPN), because counting out a Japanese wrestler has rarely ended well.

Wrestling Solomiia PETRIV (UKR)U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), red, at 73kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Battle of 73kg

The 73kg weight class was introduced in 2018, when Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) claimed the inaugural title. That remains the last time Japan won the heaviest women's weight class. Since then, India has captured three gold medals, while China, the United States and Russia have won one each.

The race for the 73kg title in Baku is wide open with China absent. India is banking on U17 Asian champion GARIMA (IND), who will need to elevate her performance from the continental championships if she hopes to claim the world title that KAJAL (IND) narrowly missed after finishing runner-up last year.

U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), who won bronze at 69kg last year, enters as one of the favorites. Potential rematches from the U17 European Championships loom, with silver medalist Bianka BARANY (HUN) and bronze medalists Karina MUZALEVSKAIA (RUS) and Lyra LEDERER (GER) also in the field.

U17 Asian silver medalist Namuuntsetseg BATBOLD (MGL) brings Mongolia's trademark throwing attack, while Kaili MANUEL (USA) could emerge as the dark horse.

Wrestling Janka SILLEI (HUN)U17 European champion Janka SILLEI (HUN), left, is one of the favorites at 57kg in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Stars Clash at 57kg

The deepest weight class appears to be 57kg, featuring several established names moving into the division.

Returning world silver medalists Janka SILLEI (HUN), who won silver at 46kg, and Epenesa ELISON (USA), last year's runner-up at 53kg, land on the same side of the bracket.

After moving up just one weight class, Elison has the tools to reach the final, but she opens against Rion SUZUKI (JPN), a difficult first-round opponent. Sillei, meanwhile, dominated the U17 European Championships at 57kg, outscoring every opponent.

Also in the field are U17 European silver medalist Mariia POLTORAK (UKR), bronze medalist Marharyta DANILEVICH (BLR) and U17 Pan-American silver medalist Gurleen DHILLON (CAN).

Despite lacking international medals, Suzuki, Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND) and Sofiia BELOVA (RUS) should not be overlooked.

Wrestling IndiaIndia won the Women's Wrestling team title at the 2025 U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Team Title Race

Japan brings a formidable lineup that can make a run for the team gold. This is despite the country's inter-high school championships coincide with the U17 World Championships, forcing several wrestlers to prioritize the domestic event and leaving Japan short of full strength.

The U.S. squad is headlined by Fernandez but also includes two returning world medalists and three U17 Pan-American champions. Elison will look to improve on last year's silver medal, while returning bronze medalist Madison HEALEY (USA) competes at 46kg.

The U17 Pan-American champions on the U.S. roster are Sophia VALDEZ (USA) at 40kg, Landri VON GONTEN (USA) at 61kg and Eve SKROCKI (USA) at 69kg.

Last year, it fell just four points short of India, which claimed its second U17 Women's Wrestling team title. This year's Indian squad, however, does not appear to have the same depth as last year's championship-winning team, making the race more open.

With Russia and Belarus eligible to score team points, and Ukraine also fielding a strong squad, the race for the team title promises to be considerably more competitive than it was a year ago.

#WrestleTirana

European Championships 2026 Women's Wrestling Preview

Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 15:12 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 16) -- Six 2025 champions will look to defend their gold medal in Women's Wrestling at the European Championships starting next week. But the tournament will also see a return of a few veteran stars in Tirana.

Among the returning champions will be Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), who ended a 24-year wait for Greece to have European champion in Women's Wrestling, now going for her second title at 53kg.

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Just as is the case globally, there’s no shortage of depth in the 53kg weight class in Europe and a number of wrestlers can upset the Greek wrestler.

Two former champions, Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (UWW), are returning to the continental championships for the first time since 2024. The two met in the final at the 2024 edition with the latter winning the gold medal.

Tirana will also mark the return of prodigious talent Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), a former U17 world and U20 European champion. She will be among the many Ukrainians favorites to win gold in their respective categories.

Apart from the four, Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), Gerda TEREK (HUN) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) are also in contention to finish on the podium.

Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), right, will look to defend her 76kg title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Strong Ukraine Squad
Ukraine have won the women’s team title in each of the last three editions and are set to defend it, thanks to a strong squad heading to Tirana. Oksana LIVACH (UKR) at 50kg and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg will look to repeat as champions while U20 world champion Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) will make her senior debut at 72kg.

Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) at 57kg and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) at 59kg have good chances to finish on the top of the podium as well.

Livach will be the favorite at 50kg despite the likes of returning silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR), U23 European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), returning bronze medalist Natallia VARAKINA (UWW) and rising star Svenja JUNGO (SUI).

Alpyeyeva stunned the wrestling world by winning the 76kg gold medal last year by beating Yasemin ADAR (TUR) in the final. While both bronze medalists from 2025, Martina KUENZ (AUT) and Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (UWW) are returning, it’s U23 world silver medalist Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) who likely to be the biggest challenger to Alpyeyeva.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is hoping to return to the top of the podium at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time Olympic medalist and former European champion Koliadenko will lead the charge at 65kg. After being denied last year by Irina RINGACI (MDA) in the semifinals, Koliadenko will be looking to bounce back and add to her previous three European gold medals.

While the absence of Ringaci and last year's champion Grace BULLEN (NOR), who has moved to 62kg should make things easier, Koliadenko still has some tricky opponents in Tirana. World silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) should be the biggest challenger for Koliadenko.

Greco-trained Sokolovska, who won the U20 world title at 76kg, will be at 72kg replacing European and world champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) this year. In a stacked weight class, she will be challenged by Olympic medalist and former European champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), who moved down to 68kg last year and finished with a bronze medal. But she is back to 72kg, switching spots with Nesrin BAS (TUR), 2025 silver at 72kg, who is now at 68kg.

U23 European champion Viktoryia RADZKOVA (UWW) will be another tough competitor for Sokolovska along with world medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL).

Nesrin BAS (TUR)Nesrin BAS (TUR) will present her challenge at 68kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Bas' Golden Chance 
Bas at 68kg will be keen on claiming the top position in European after falling short at the continental and world level last year. She lost finals at 72kg at both the competitions in 2025.

Bas, a three-time U23 world champion, will face returning champion Alina SHAUCHUK (UWW) who recently won the U23 European gold. Shauchuk has been rising quickly through the ranks and she defeated Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) in the final last year to stun the Bratislava crowd. 

Shauchuk should be ready for a tougher outing as Bas brings more skill set and Zelenykh will be keen on revenge. Former U23 European champion Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will be the dark horse.

Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW)Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) is the defending champion at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Verbina Eyes Second Straight Gold
Defending champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW), also a world silver medalist, could have had a smooth sailing to the gold medal but the entry of former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) just added to the challenge of defending the title. While these two go in as favorites, keep an eye out for Tuba DEMIR (TUR) who has the potential to go deep into this bracket as well.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) is eyeing her fifth European gold medal in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bullen Favorite at 62kg
Grace BULLEN (NOR) spent most of 2025, a year after the Olympics, at 65kg in which she also won gold at the European Championships. But the four-time champion is returning to 62kg and will be the favorite at the weight class to win her fifth title to go with her two silver medals.

Bullen defeated Ringaci in a memorable final last year, but she should have less trouble winning gold this year. U23 European champion Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) should be her biggest threat along with former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), and former U23 world and European champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN).

Returning silver medalist Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), who has notched up a series of good results recently, will also be looking to return to the final and challenge Bullen.

With defending champion at 57kg Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) giving the European Championships a miss, returning silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) has the chance to improve the color of her medal. Among other contenders are returning bronze medalists Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Solomiia VYNYYK (UKR). Former U20 European champion and U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will also be looking to at least finish on the podium for Norway.

Another returning silver medalist from Turkiye hoping to upgrade her medal is Bediha GUN (TUR), who lost to Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) last year in the final at 59kg.

Sidelnikova’s absence will make things only slightly easier for Gun in Tirana but world silver medalist Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) is expected to pose a serious threat as she chases her first-ever European medal.

Finalists from February’s U23 European Championships, Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) and Marta HETMANAVA (UWW) are also entered and it won’t be a shock if the two make the final. Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), silver medalist at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February, will be among the contenders as well.