#Belgrade2020

Wrestling to Organize 'Individual World Cup' In Lieu of 2020 World Championships 

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 10) -- After not reaching the criteria defined by the United World Wrestling Bureau in June to host a 'World Championships, the decision was made Tuesday to organize an “Individual World Cup” as substitute event. 

National Federations had been given until Thursday, November 5th to confirm their interest in participating at the 2020 World Championships. UWW had set a benchmark requiring that at least 8 of 10 of the top nations from the 2019 World Championships, and 70% of total athletes, participate in 2020. With many nations reinstating travel restrictions in response to COVID-19 the participation hurdles were not met. 

“We want to see our athletes compete again on the mat. It’s important to our organization and we are committed to providing them an opportunity,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “There are real challenges to overcome, but we are working together to find a safe and acceptable format where our top athletes can compete in a world class event.” 

The “Individual World Cup” will be held in Belgrade with final confirmation of dates expected in the coming days. The event will include a prize pool of 300,000 CHF spread evenly across the 30 weight categories.

The Ordinary Congress and elections have been postponed to 2021, but the World Wrestling End of Year Conference will be organized as a virtual event.

#WrestleAmman

U20 World Championships Day 4 semifinals set

By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 17) -- Women's wrestling will continue on the fourth day of the U20 World Championships in Amman. 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg will be in action on Thursday before the evening session sees five new women's wrestling world champions.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

Women's wrestling semifinals for the evening session

53kg
Katie GOMEZ (USA) vs. Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR)
ANTIM (IND) vs. Polina LUKINA (AIN)

57kg
Ichika ARAI (JPN) vs. Gerda TEREK (HUN)
Shugyla OMIRBEK (KAZ) vs. Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR)

62kg
SAVITA (IND) vs. Iris THIEBAUX (FRA)
Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX) vs. Astrid MONTERO (VEN)

65kg
Ekaterina KOSHKINA (AIN) vs. ANTIM (IND)
Khadija JLASSI (TUN) vs. Eniko ELEKES (HUN)

72kg
HARSHITA (IND) vs. Bukrenaz SERT (TUR)
Yuka FUJIKURA (JPN) vs. Amit ELOR (USA)

13:40: Yuka FUJIKURA (JPN) ends the session on a high for Japan, making her way to the 72kg semifinal after beating Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ) 6-0. 

13:30: The semifinals line-up for 53kg is insane. Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), an unbeaten wrestler internationally, will take on former U17 world champion and returning bronze medalist Katie GOMEZ (USA). In the other semifinal, defending U20 world champion and senior Asian silver medalist ANTIM (IND) will square off against Polina LUKINA (AIN) who has senior-level experience including a silver medal at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series in 2022.

13:20: Returning bronze medalist at 62kg Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) thought she has a foot in the semifinals, leading 5-4 against Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX). But the Mexican U20 Pan-Am champion launches Nwachukwu for a big throw for four with 5 seconds remaining. The United States challenged the call but it stood, giving Jimenez a 9-5 win.

13:15: If there is a secret to beating Amit ELOR (USA), no one has been able to find it. The latest in that attempt was Patrycja CUBER (POL) in the 72kg quarterfinals but Elor pins her inside the first period.

13:10: Suzu SASAKI (JPN) had hoped to avenge her 2022 U17 world final loss to SAVITA (IND) when she booked her spot on the Japan U20 team. It was going well as she led 6-4 but Savita cradled her for a fall in the 62kg quarterfinals. Sasaki left the mat overwhelmed with emotions.

13:07: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) with another fall. She moves into the 53kg after pinning Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). It will be interesting to see how she responds to wrestlers with extra experience.     

13:05: Returning U20 world champion ANTIM (IND) returns to the semifinals after a 12-2 technical superiority win over Xuejing LIANG (CHN). Total domination from the Indian wrestler.

13:00: Polina LUKINA (AIN) with a clutch performance. She scores four points in the final 10 seconds to beat Nagisa HARADA (JPN) 8-7 at 53kg. Lukina moves into the semifinals.

12:50: Katie GOMEZ (USA) avenges her loss from last year against Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) as she leg laces her for a 10-0 victory and moves into the 53kg semifinals. Can the former U17 world champion add a U20 world title?

12:45: Khadija JLASSI (TUN) will cherish this win for some time. She hangs on for a 6-5 win over Momoko KITADE (JPN) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Jlassi got a four-pointer from a cradle which kept her in the match which she ultimately won with Kitade straggling with her conditioning.

12:30: As if there ever any doubts! Senior, U23 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) takes 29 seconds to roll over Shamshiyabanu TASTANBEK (KAZ) using a leg lace and move into the semifinals at 72kg.

12:25: Two U17 world champions from India, SAVITA (IND) and HARSHITA (IND), also pin their campaign with wins at 62kg and 72kg respectively. Amit ELOR (USA) is coming up on Mat B shortly 

12:10: A fall for returning champion at 53kg ANTIM (IND)! Nikola WISNIEWSKA (POL) scored two points but was easily overpowered by Antim who secured a first-period fall

12:00: Returning bronze medalist Katie GOMEZ (USA) runs away to a 10-0 win over Carla JAUME (ESP) at 53kg. Gomez has to be one of the best technical wrestlers out there at this age level.

11:45: Two-time U17 world champion Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) begins her U20 world journey with a fall. An easy win over Nikol KRUMOVA (BUL) at 53kg.

11:25: A better for Japan today after a mixed day on Wednesday. Momoko KITADE (JPN) at 65kg and Ichika ARAI (JPN) at 57kg have both won their respective bouts and moved into the pre-quarters.

11:00: At 62kg, Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) was relentless in her attacks against Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) to win 14-4 and advance to the pre-quarterfinals.

10:45: Gerda TEREK (HUN) hangs on for a 5-4 win over Aitolkun MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and advances to the pre-quarterfinals. She will wrestle Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) next. 

10:30: U20 bronze medalist Sevval CAYIR (TUR) tried challenging U20 European champion Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) but could not fight for long. Filipovych won 14-2

10:00: Welcome to the fourth day of the U20 World Championships. The action continues with women's wrestling as Amit ELOR (USA), ANTIM (IND), Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) are among the stars who will wrestle.