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China Finds Double Gold on First Day of Women's Wrestling, Japan Boxed Out

By Tim Foley

China Strikes Double Gold

China’s Yumei CHEN kicked off the women’s gold medal finals with a commanding 14-4 technical fall victory over Sonu SONU of India. The Chinese grappler ceded a four-point takedown early in the 44kg finals, but returned fire with a takedown of her own and three gut wrenches to make it a 10-4 match into the break.

Chen closed out the match early in the second period winning by technical fall, 14-4

At 59kg Jing JIANG made Chian’s second final appearance making quick work of Thi My Hanh NGUYEN (VIE). The stout Chinese competitor shot a head inside single, lifted and converted a takedown early in the first before finding four gut wrenches to win the match by technical fall, 12-1.

India and Kyrgyzstan Golden as Japanese Falter

Japan is the most dominant force in women’s wrestling, but with their top athletes competing at the Meiji Cup in Tokyo the team was not up to their usual golden ways.

Chisaki HORI did manage to find her way into the 51kg finals where she faced India’s Pooja GEHLOT (IND). The duo excited the crowd with a flurry of attacks and crafty defense, but it was all Gehlot as time expired with the Indian winning a narrow 6-5 victory.

In the 67kg finals Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) took almost a dozen low leg singles but was continually thwarted by the trick knee of the ultra-flexible Bakhtigul BALTANIYAZOVA (UZB). Despite the tough defense Zhumanazarova found two takedowns in the first period before cracking the match wide open in the second with a powerful double leg and crotch lift made it 8-0. A final hi crotch gave the Uzbek a 10-0 technical fall victory and gold medal.

Iran Caps Team Title in Greco-Roman with Pair of Titles

They weren’t beautiful matches, but Poya Soulat DAD MARZ and Amirmohammad HAJIPOURGANJI (IRI) pushed and pulled their way to a pair of gold medals Thursday night in Taichung, Taiwan.

For his part, Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI) took out Alpamys DASTANBEK (KAZ) in the 50kg with an anti-climactic 2-1 decision. Iranian big man Amirmohammad HAJIPOURGANJI (IRI) then followed with a chippy 6-3 decision against Satish SATISH (IND).

The final team scores for Greco-Roman were Iran 71, Kazakhstan 58 and India 55.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.