(SALVADOR, Brazil) – South America’s most populous nation welcomes its first world championship of wrestling this week as wrestlers form more than 25 nations converge on the beach community of Salvador to compete at the 2015 Junior Wrestling World Championships.

Wrestling starts Tuesday with Greco-Roman wrestling and continues with women’s wrestling and freestyle throughout the week.

The tournament is Brazil’s first warm-up for hosting the 2016 Games in Rio, but is also an important age group event for up-and-coming stars in the sport of wrestling.

Greco-Roman (August 11-12)

Azerbaijan dominated the Greco-Roman portion of the 2014 Junior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, winning five of eight gold medals. The European nation returns champions Murad MAMMADOV (55kg) and Islam ABBASOV (84kg) along with silver medalist Ruhin MIKAYILOV (66kg).

Russia returns 120kg world champion Sergey SEMENOV, who last wrestled at the senior level, participating in the European Games held in Baku this May.

Women's Wrestling (August 13-14)

Powerhouse Japan brings a loaded field of accomplished wrestlers to Brazil, with many undoubtedly hoping to become their nation’s starter before the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Defending champions Haruka UCHIJO (44kg), Masako FURUICHI (67kg) and two-time defending champion Risako KAWAI (59kg) will look to carry the weight of the Japanese women’s team in 2015 as many of last year’s competitors aged out of competition, some by only weeks.

One such loss is two-time defending champion Yu MIYAHARA (48kg) is also scheduled to compete. The 21-year-old placed third at this year’s coveted Ivan Yarygin in Krasnoyarsk, Russia and is now ranked No.4 in the world at the senior-level.

Defending champion Lyubov OVCHAROVA (63kg) of Russia is fresh off a European Junior title and is hoping to lead a new crop of Russian youngesters in their search for sustained success at the world championships.

China is also expected to bring top talent entering 2014 silver medalist XIE Ya at (48kg) along with bronze medalist QIN Tingfeng (51kg). The USA returns bronxe medalists Marina DOI (44 kg) Kayla MIRACLE (59 kg).

Freestyle (August 15-16)

Iran appears to once again be fielding a top team for the freestyle portion of the Junior worlds, led by Iman SADEGHIKOUKANDEH who last year scored an international sensation with his incredible backflip takedown. Iran will also bring 2014 world runner-up and 2015 Asian Junior champions Amin TAHERI (120kg).

The Russians are also lining up a competitive squad with returning champion Khasan BADRUDINOV moving from 50kg to 55kg. Defending 98kg champion Georgi GOGAEV will also be in Salvador to try and repeat as well.

The USA brings a talented squad as well with a pair of returning silver medalists Joey MCKENNA (60kg) and Aaron PICO (66 kg) leading the charge. Cadet world champions Spencer LEE (50kg)  Mark HALL (74kg) will also test their mettle at the junior level in the hopes of earning the Stars and Stripes the team championship.

For full results, photos, video and livestream click “Junior World Champ.” at the top of the UnitedWorldWrestling.org homepage.

Tuesday, August 11
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Greco-Roman 50, 60, 74, 96kg
18:00-18:30  Weigh-in Greco-Roman 55, 66, 84, 120kg
18:30-19:00  Opening Ceremony
19:00-21:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Greco-Roman 50, 60, 74, 96kg

Wednesday, August 12
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Greco-Roman 55, 66, 84, 120kg
17:15-17:45  Weigh-in Female Wrestling 44, 51, 59, 67kg
18:00-20:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Greco-Roman 55, 66, 84, 120kg

Thursday, August 13
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Female Wrestling 44, 51, 59, 67kg
17:15-17:45  Weigh-in Female Wrestling 48, 55, 63, 72kg
18:00-20:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Female Wrestling 44, 51, 59, 67kg

Friday, August 14
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Female Wrestling 48, 55, 63, 72kg
17:15-17:45  Weigh-in Freestyle 50, 60, 74, 96kg
18:00-20:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Female Wrestling 48, 55, 63, 72kg

Saturday, August 15
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Freestyle 50, 60, 74, 96kg
17:15-17:45  Weigh-in Freestyle 55, 66, 84, 120kg
18:00-20:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Freestyle 50, 60, 74, 96kg

Sunday, August 16
10:00-15:00  Qualification & Repechage Rounds Freestyle 55, 66, 84, 120kg
18:00-20:00  Finals & Award Ceremonies Freestyle 55, 66, 84, 120kg