#WrestleWarsaw

After Heartbreaking Rio Exit, Lappage Focused on Tokyo Olympics

Monday, June 7, 2021 - 18:08 By Vinay Siwach

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Three hours before her bout at the Rio Olympics, Danielle Lappage made an entry in her personal wrestling journal:

“August 18, 2016. 7 a.m. Today is the day I have been dreaming of for over a decade! I will be the first women’s wrestling match of the day against Ukraine- she is tough but I am better. You are an OLYMPIC CHAMPION!”

All the sacrifices she had made, all the hard work she’d put in for 13 years was now on the line.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

The warm-up hall at the Olympic center in Rio was full of wrestlers gearing up for the big day – the fifth of wrestling at the 2016 Games. Lappage was one of them. Like everyone else, the Canadian was also giving final touches to her preparations. "It was very random. It was a warm-up I had done hundreds of times before,” she says. “I had a lot of pain in my butt.”

Lappage lay on the mat, hiding her pain from her competitors, who were training right next to her. She asked her sparring partner to call the medical staff. During her second last warm-up, her partner made a slight movement and a sharp feeling went through her left butt. Lappage collapsed right there. "I was super devastated and emotional," she says.

She doesn't turn emotional while recounting the horrific incident from Rio almost five years ago but that day, Lappage was left in tears and her Olympic dream was shattered.

Lappage was born in Olds, a small town south of Alberta to Valerie and Robert Lappage. At the age of three, she joined gymnastics classes and later she added swimming to her schedule. Her introduction to wrestling was only when she was 12 years old.

“When I got to sixth grade, my school offered many sports for free. Badminton, athletics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling and rugby,” she says. “Because I was strong and athletic, I tried every sport. I was never just a wrestler until after high school.”

But when it came to picking a sport in which she wanted to make a career in, Lappage was always clear in her mind. “I truly had a passion for it [wrestling]. I always knew that I was going to wrestle,” she says. “I went to Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and continued to wrestle there.”

The seeds of the Olympic dream had been sown before that. Back in 2004 when women's wrestling was inducted into the Games, Lappage was wrestling her first national championships. She did not win but she knew she wanted to be an Olympian. Next year, she won the gold medal. The dream was quickly becoming her belief that she can win the Olympics by 2016.

“My career up to Rio was focused on 2016,” she says. “Even when I was a young girl I was thinking that 2016, it would be the ideal year, I would be the ideal age.”

The journey began with the junior world title in 2010. Lappage did try to be on Canada's 2012 Olympic team but missed out. A couple of years later, she took big strides. She won the senior nationals, world university championships and even the Commonwealth Games.

But life gifts you a sucker punch when you are least ready. Lappage took two weeks off after the 2014 World Championships and in her first practice on return, tore her ACL. Was that the end of a dream? She went into a soul-searching mode. Wrestling took a back seat but only momentarily.

Against all odds, she won the Canadian Olympic trial in December 2015. She had taken her first step towards the goal and was motivated to achieve it until it all came crashing down in that warm-up hall.

“I was pinching myself and telling myself that it had to be a nightmare,” she recalls. “But when I realised it wasn't, I was trying to pump myself in my mind saying 'you can wrestle with an injury, people have done this before.'

“Then I went to wrestle but I could even use my left leg. I had to forfeit the tournament. What I remember the most in the moment of pulling out was looking up to the stands and seeing my parents. They were so confused and scared. At that moment I became super emotional and the day, the moment, even months after that moment, were devastating.”

There was no clarity over the injury. Her taking the mat against Yulia TAKCH (UKR) was just an athlete desperate to not let go of the dream.

“I had ruptured a hamstring muscle,” Lappage says. She was told about it when she returned to the Olympic village. “It's so unexplainable and so confusing to me as to how and why it happened.”

The days that followed were hard. During the recovery phase after the ACL injury, Lappage had the motivation of the Rio Olympics. After Rio, she had none.

“The emotional toll that injury had on me and the uncertainty that will I be able to come back physically, had me questioning whether I could, or whether I wanted to, whether it was the right thing in my life to wrestle,” she says.

Her blog entries give a clearer picture of her thoughts soon after. Six months passed as she battled self-doubts and thought of leaving the sport. “The mental side, the uncertainty of 'will I be the same? Will I re-hurt it?'” she continues, “have always been the most challenging.”

Thankfully, she could take her mind off wrestling and focus on her studies. At the Simon Fraser University, Lappage had completed her BA in Criminology and followed it with a MA degree in the same. Her injury made her give up the plans of policing.

Back in 2012, she sat for LSAT but could not clear for law school. It was luck by chance that while applying for different jobs she realized that her score was considered for five years. She applied for the University of Calgary. She never thought of it but she was accepted.

Calgary was going to become her new home after eight years at SFU. While she had to leave her former teammates, she would be paired with Rio Olympic champion Erica Wiebe.

“I saw having a law degree, being a lawyer was the best way I could help the less fortunate and my community,” she says. “Formal education was actually helpful to me to be a great wrestler and also be a good student. It was an opportunity to have a balance – the physical and mental, both. When I was having a hard day physically or emotionally or mentally with wrestling, it was good to have something else to focus on.”

Perhaps that's what got her back into wrestling.

In February 2018, Lappage decided to wrestle again. She instantly did not make goals but she wanted to test herself again and test at the highest level.

Klippan Lady Open is one of the most prestigious wrestling tournaments for women. In the Nordic country of Sweden, female wrestlers from around the world try to win the gold medal. Lappage, in that year, was also trying.

In her first international bout after a long hiatus, Lappage faced Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA), a two-time Ivan Yargiun champion and USA's brightest prospect. The category was also 68kg, a bump up from Lappage's regular 63kg.

The Canadian won 4-2. Laura SKUJINA (LAT) did not pose any challenge in the semifinal and Lappage was in the final. She could not have planned it better.

Against Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), Lappage won 9-4 and the gold medal on her return to the international stage. That was the beginning of a memorable year.

She racked up gold medals at All Ukrainian Memorial Tournament, Canada Cup and Poland Open with a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games sandwiched between them. To cap it all off, she won a silver medal at the World Championships, only her second in the long career.

“I surprised myself and a lot of people that I was able to come back, move and wrestle the way I did,” she says.

She could see the Tokyo Games were on the horizon. She had to make a decision of committing herself to another Olympics, live life thinking and preparing for one specific day.

"I didn't have my goals set on Tokyo until 2018. I took it season by season because I was so upset,” she says. “It was fast approaching so I had to commit myself. Around that time, I made Tokyo a specific goal.”

Danielle Lappage 2018 World ChampionshipsDanielle LAPPAGE (CAN) lost in the quarterfinal of the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, Kazakhstan. (Photo: UWW / GABOR MARTIN)

Securing a quota for a country is the first step towards fulfilling an Olympic dream. Lappage could not even do that.

“2018 was a great year for me. I was confident and didn't feel too much pressure,” she says. “A year after, I think I didn't work on my mental game as much as I needed to. I took my confidence and focus for granted and I didn't wrestle my best, for example the 2019 World Championships.”

That was the first qualifying event for the Tokyo Games. In Nursultan, Kazakhstan, Lappage had the chance to book Canada's ticket in the 68kg weight class. She was 30 seconds away when a lapse in concentration took it all away.

Just 18 months ago, she had defeated Cherkasova in Sweden. But she lost to her 7-8 when it mattered the most. The Ukrainian lost her semifinal, ending Lappage's repechage hopes.

“One of those losses that I thought is going to harm me after, follow me in my career,” she says. “That happens in wrestling. Just had to go back to the drawing board, analyse that, work on that part of the game and that's what I did.”

But then, the Covid-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill. Sports events were getting cancelled and the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier in Ottawa, Canada was under a cloud. Two years after she came back to relaunch her wrestling career, Covid-19 threatened to take it all away.

Ultimately, United World Wrestling, wrestling’s global governing body, decided to conduct the qualifiers without spectators. It was enough for Lappage, as she won the 68kg gold medal and with that, earned an Olympic spot for her country, two months after winning the national Olympic trials. Finally, she could dream of being an Olympic champion again.

But there was one more twist to Lappage's story. Canada announced they would pull out of the Olympics because of the pandemic if they went ahead as scheduled. But then, the International Olympic Committee announced the Games were postponed by a year.

A year and three months have passed since that day in Ottawa, Lappage has not competed internationally. Forget competing, she has not stepped outside Canada, majorly because of the strict quarantine rules of the country.

“The uncertainty of it all has been very difficult when you sit back and you allow the fear and anxiety to stir up, it does get a little bit stressful obviously,” she says.

“In sports, you face struggles, challenges, setbacks regularly. I guess it was just one of those," she says. "It was similar to an injury. You have to sit back and reflect and plan training and plan better when things are not ideal. When they announced that it was going to be delayed, of course, it was not ideal. But in my opinion, it was better than being cancelled. It's still happening and I have an extra year to prepare and be better than I would have in 2020.”

Just to ascertain that, she will be wrestling at the last ranking series event in Poland in June before the Games. The Poland Open will be her big test since the World Championships in Central Asia. Like Lappage, her opponents are also getting better and she knows it.

“There are no easy opponents,” she says. “It's an open field and I am not looking at anybody lightly. Hence, we all ought to be on our 'A' game and we ought to be the best on our day and if we are able to bring everything together on that day we will be successful.”

Danielle LappageDanielle LAPPAGE (CAN) won the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifiers in Ottawa, Canada to qualify Canada for the Olympic Games. (Photo: UWW / TONY ROTUNDO)

Lappage is in the twilight of her career. But like many elite athletes, she is wrestling with the idea of when to call it quits.

“I enjoy the training, the process, the schedule, the details, the experiences and the social aspect,” she says. “But of course it will end soon. Maybe one more cycle would be max. I have not thought about it, I have not committed to it.”

Lappage has clearly come a long way from that injury in Rio. At one point she was on the verge of leaving the sport and five years later, she is thinking about Paris. But in sport, as in life, nothing should be taken for granted.

“Since Rio, I have not taken any day for granted, any competition for granted, any experience for granted. For years, I count this as my bonus life, my second life and in the sport my second chance. It's been awesome.”

Lappage learnt that lesson long back.

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025 Preview

Thursday, August 14, 2025 - 08:11 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 13) -- A quick stat: Of the 30 gold medalists from last year's World U20 Championships, 13 will compete at the senior World Championships in Zagreb, a testament to the event's importance. This year's competition in Samokov, Bulgaria, from August 17 to 24, will undoubtedly introduce the next generation of wrestling stars.

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The eight-day event will feature 650 wrestlers: 233 in Freestyle, 231 in Greco-Roman, and 186 in Women's Wrestling. A significant number, 186 wrestlers, are returning from last year's competition. In Freestyle, 11 medalists are back, including one champion. Greco-Roman has 10 returning medalists, with three champions, while Women's Wrestling boasts 17 returning medalists and three defending champions.

Marcus BLAZE (USA)Marcus BLAZE (USA) is a returning bronze medalist at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

FREESTYLE

Last year, the United States had an incredible run, with nine of its 10 wrestlers winning a medal. This year, the U.S. is aiming to defend its team title for the first time. The team includes four returning medalists: Marcus BLAZE (61kg), PJ DUKE (70kg), Ladrion LOCKETT (74kg), and Justin RADEMACHER (97kg).

Iran will likely be its main challenger, looking to reclaim the team title they last won in 2023. However, the U.S. team is motivated, particularly after it recently stunned Iran to defend its team title at the U17 Worlds. Other major challengers include Georgia, Azerbaijan, India, and UWW wrestlers, many of whom are continental champions.

One of the returning medalists and a strong favorite for gold is Marcus BLAZE (USA). His only loss last year was to Masanosuke ONO (JPN), and he's now looking to add a world U20 title to his U17 one.

He won't be without competition, however. Ahora KHATERI (IRI), a 2023 world U17 champ, is also looking to add a U20 gold to his resume in his first event. Khateri wrestled at the Zagreb Open this year and finished fifth. The field is further bolstered by European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM), silver medalist Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) and Allan ORALBEK (KAZ).

Ladrion LOCKETT (USA)Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) will look to upgrade his silver to gold at 74kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ladrion LOCKETT (USA), a silver medalist last year, is a strong contender for gold. His aggressive style and high pace will be key against opponents who often can't handle his intensity. His biggest challenge will come from European U23 champion Ismail Khaniev (UWW), European U20 champion Manuel Wagin (GER), and returning bronze medalist Aghanazar Novruzov (AZE).

Lockett defeated Novruzov in the semifinals last year, but the latter recently added a senior European bronze to his resume and could cause an upset. The field also includes Asian U20 champion Mahdi Mamivand (IRI) and European U20 silver Raul Caso (ITA), who will be at his fourth U20 Worlds.

PJ DUKE (USA), who earned a spot on the U.S. senior team for Zagreb, is now looking to upgrade his bronze medal to gold this year. Wrestling at 70kg, Duke has been in phenomenal form, memorably pinning Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) to make the senior team. A classic U.S.-Iran battle is expected in this weight class, as he'll face 2022 world U17 champion Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), who recently won the Asian U20 gold medal. Elahi was also at the Zagreb Open but finished fifth.

While some weight classes feature clear favorites, others are wide open. The competition at 79kg is a prime example. The only returning champion is Alp Arsalan BEGENJOV (TKM), who made history as Turkmenistan's first-ever world U20 champion. However, he's had mixed results since then, including a loss to CHANDERMOHAN (IND) and a pin by AMIT (IND).

This opens the door for a host of contenders. Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), who lost his first bout to Begenjov last year, has since had a phenomenal run, winning a senior Asia gold, a world U23 title, and a silver at the Zagreb Open.

Leandro ARAUJO (BRA) is also looking to change the color of his medal. Araujo won bronze last year and silver at the Pan-Am U20 Championships. He'll be challenged by the wrestler who beat him in that final, William HENCKEL (USA), a potential gold medalist himself. Also in the mix are European U20 champ Davit TCHETCHELASHVILI (GEO), silver medalist Muradkhan OMAROV (AZE) and returning fifth-placers Said SAIDULOV (UWW) and Amit.

Another Iran wrestler who has improved significantly is Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI). After winning bronze last year, he's gone on to secure gold medals at senior and U20 Asians. While not a clear favorite, a gold medal in Samokov is definitely within his reach. European U20 champion Dachi PAPINASHVILI (GEO) and silver medalist Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), a returning bronze medalist himself, will be among those hoping to deny Rahmani.

European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the younger brother of Olympic champion Geno, will be looking to add another world title to his name.
Having finished eighth last year, Petriashvili will be keen on finishing on the podium this year at 97kg. But he'll face a stiff challenge from Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), the U20 Asian champ. Alizadeh's experience on the senior circuit, where he earned a silver at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, could be key to navigating Petriashvili's attacks. Also in the mix is Justin RADEMACHER (USA), a returning bronze medalist who is determined to claim the gold he missed last year.

Both Ashab DADAEV (FRA) and Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) lost to Petriashvili at the European U20s in close bouts. They will look to change the result they end up meeting the Georgian in Samokov.

Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ)Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) is a returning bronze medalist at 92kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 92kg, returning bronze medalists Anar JAFARLI (AZE) and Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) are ready to compete. Kurugliyev, a 2023 world U20 champ at 97kg and a 2022 world U17 champion, has moved down a weight class. While Jafarli lacks Kurugliyev's resume, he is a gold medal threat, having defeated the returning Connor MIRASOLA (USA) for bronze last year.

European U20 and U23 silver medalist Musza ARSUNKAEV (HUN) is also a factor, capable of upsets with a strong record that includes a 2022 world U17 silver medal. He recently finished fifth at the Budapest Ranking Series.

The 125kg class is set to be a battle of redemption and first-time glory. Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE), a former world U17 champion, is determined to claim a U20 title after a disappointing eighth-place finish last year, a goal bolstered by his recent European U20 silver.

His path to gold could be blocked by Inal GAGLOEV (UWW), the European U20 gold medalist who is stepping onto the world stage for the first time. The competition also features Pan-Am U20 champion Cole MIRASOLA (USA) and Asian U20 champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). For Kassimbek, the stakes are high; he has lost two U17 world finals, including one to Dursunov, and is now hungry for his first major gold.

Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW)Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW) is the favorite to win gold at 65kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 65kg weight class has a strong favorite: Amal DZHANDUBAEV (UWW). He won both the European U20 and U23 Championships with seemingly little trouble.

Yet, there will be challenges at the world level, which include European U20 silver medalist Viktor BOROHAN (UKR) and former Euro U20 champ Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR). Both of them have already suffered a defeat to Dzhandubaev but can step up on the day. The field also includes Pan-Am U20 champion Luke STANICH (USA), Aliasghar TATHASHTIKEH (IRI), who is making his international debut, and Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ), a 2024 world U17 champ who won bronze at the Asian U20s.

Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE)Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) is a two-time former world U17 champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Can former world U17 champion Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE) add a U20 title? The European U20 champion’s path to gold won't be easy, as he'll face Nika ZANGALADZE (GEO), the only wrestler to truly test him in Italy. The U.S. is pinning its hopes on Anthony KNOX (USA), who is making his international debut.

Meanwhile, Iran has a strong contender in Arshia HADDADI (IRI), a bronze medalist at both the Asian U20 and 2022 World U17 Championships. Also challenging for gold is Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), who has been training in the U.S. at Oklahoma State University.

 Sakura ONISHI (JPN)Sakura ONISHI (JPN) is a senior Asian champion at 59kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

The statistic about in the first paragraph of this preview primarily highlights the strength of Women's Wrestling as seven champions from last year will be at the senior World Championships later in September.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) and Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) will represent Japan and the Zhang twins, Yu and Jin, will challenge for China. Christelle RODRIGUEZ (USA), Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Jyoti BERWAL (IND), all gold medalists from Pontevedra, will also be in Zagreb.

Now back in Samokov, both Uchida and Onishi will be wrestling for their second straight world U20 gold medal at 57kg and 59kg respectively.

Since her 2024 title, Onishi has won gold medals at Asian Championships and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. She is also a world U17 champ and silver medalist from 2023 and 2022 respectively.

Onishi will have her hands full with Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who is undefeated this year with European U20, U23 and Zagreb Open golds under her belt. NEHA (IND), a 57kg bronze medalist from last year, moves up to 59kg, bringing with her a recent silver from the Budapest Ranking Series and gold from the Mongolia Open. Marta HETMANAVA (UWW) and Aubre KRAZER (USA) are also strong contenders for a podium finish.

Unlike her teammate Onishi, Uchida is coming into the competition with a spotless international record. She would like to like that record and it seems that little will trouble her in Samokov.

Some formidable wrestlers include Pan-Am U20 champion Agnia KRAKOVSKA (CAN), Asian U20 champion TAPSYA (IND), European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR), and silver medalist Tindra DALMYR (SWE). A later dropout due to injury was Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), a senior European medalist and former world U20 champion. 

Apart from these two, Japan's line-up includes 2022 world U20 champ Ayano MORO (JPN) at 76kg, 2023 world U17 champs Rinka OGAWA (JPN) at 50kg and Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) at 53kg, So TSUTSUI (JPN) was a 57kg silver medalist at the 2024 world U17 championships, 2023 world and Asia champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) at 68kg and 2024 Asian U20 champ at 65kg Momoko KITADE (JPN).

At 76kg, the favorite to win gold is Ayano MORO (JPN), the 2022 world U20 champion. This weight class promises to be one of the most hotly contested, as Moro will renew her rivalry with PRIYA (IND), who she had defeated to win the title in 2022. The Indian wrestler, who won the U20 title in 2023, recently won silver at the Budapest Ranking Series and gold at Asian U23s and is a two-time world U17 champion.

The division is further stacked with returning bronze medalists Naomi SIMON (USA) and Elmira YASIN (TUR), as well as European U20 champion Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) and silver medalist Diana TITOVA (UWW).

Audrey JIMENEZ (USA)Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) is a two-time world U20 silver medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ogawa will have her task cut out at 50kg as two-time world U20 silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), who is hungry to finally claim a gold medal after two losses in the finals. Jimenez's impressive resume also includes a senior Pan-Am title and 2023 World U23 silver medal. Na HU (CHN), a 2024 world U17 champion, will aim to keep the 50kg title with China, following Yu ZHANG's (CHN) victory last year.

For Masuda at 53kg, the challenge may be tougher. Her weight class includes European U20 bronze medalist Sevval CAYIR (TUR), Asian U20 champ SAARIKA (IND), European U20 champ Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) and European U20 champ at 50kg Kseniya KOSTSENICH (UWW).

In the highly competitive 55kg weight class, several talented wrestlers are vying for the top spot. Leading the charge is returning silver medalist Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), who brings a wealth of experience from her training in Japan.

She will face stiff competition from returning bronze medalist and European U23 champion Tuba DEMIR (TUR), Asian U20 and U23 champion REENA (IND), who also secured World U23 and U20 bronze medals in 2023, European U20 champion Gerda TEREK (HUN) and the 2024 Pan-Am U20 champion Everest LEYDECKER (USA). 

With such a deep pool of talented wrestlers, So TSUTSUI (JPN) will face a challenging path to the gold medal, especially against rivals like Byambasuren.

Hoshino, the 2023 world U20 champion, is one of the favorites at 68kg. She is in a deep field with Ayse ERKAN (TUR), a returning silver medalist and European U20 bronze winner and Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR), a strong contender with European U23 bronze and 2024 World U17 silver medals.

The field also includes Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda BATISTA (BRA), returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND), and Asian U20 champion Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ). A new face, 2025 world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN), aims for her second world title in three weeks.

At 65kg, Beyza AKKUS (TUR), who is returning silver medalist and European U20 champion, is a favorite for the gold. But she’ll have to get past Momoko KITADE (JPN), a 2024 Asian U20 champion. Both Margarita SALNAZARIAN (UWW) and Zaixue RUI (CHN), who were bronze medalists last year, are also strong contenders.

At 72kg, all eyes will be on Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), the defending champion who dominated last year's event. She's a strong favorite to win gold again. However, Yuqi LIU (CHN), the silver medalist, is focused on revenge.

KAJAL (IND), the Asian U20 champion, brings impressive credentials, including silver medals at the World and Asian U17 events this year. Another name to watch is Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW), a European U23 champion who finished fifth last year.

At 62kg, European U20 champion Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) will look to win a medal after finishing fifth last year at 59kg. But she will have to go past Asian U20 champ ANJLI (IND), who also won silver at World U23 Championships last year and Pan-Am U20 champ Annika FINES (CAN).

Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI)Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) is a returning silver medalist at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

GRECO-ROMAN

Iran has won five straight team titles in Greco-Roman at the World U20 Championships. But winning the sixth will be challenging. While Iran’s line-up in 2024 was incredible, this year's does not guarantee the same.

The team, however, is still a strong contender, but countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, and Ukraine have their top wrestlers, and a few top UWW wrestlers are also in.

Leading the charge for Iran is Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), a returning silver medalist at 130kg. After winning his second Asian U20 gold this year, he's the top contender for gold. Last year, he was stunned in the final by Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), who isn't competing this year. Instead, Koppany LASZLO (HUN) -- a bronze medalist from Budapest Ranking Series -- will take his place.

Other notable names include last year's world and European U17 champion Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR), who is making his U20 debut against wrestlers like European U20 silver medalist Ali ILIASOV (UWW) and former world U17 champion Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO). Two-time former world U17 champion Cemal BAKIR (TUR) is also in the mix, looking for his first major U20 success after placing seventh at last year's U20 Worlds and eighth at this year's European U20 Championships.

Payam AHMADI (IRI)Payam AHMADI (IRI) is one of the favorites to win gold medal at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's gold medal hopes extend to Asian U20 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI), a 2023 world champion at 48kg, and now the front-runner at 55kg.

His biggest challenger is two-time former world U17 champion Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), who suffered his first-ever continental loss, taking silver at the European U20 Championships recently. The wrestler who handed him that defeat was Ivan SOLOMIN (UWW), who will be a formidable opponent in Samokov.

Also in the mix is Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO), a European U20 bronze and U23 silver medalist. Having lost to Dashdamirov three times already, he's eager for revenge and a shot at the gold. A dark horse to watch is Anil MOR (IND), who has shown significant improvement this year, winning gold at the Mongolian Open and bronze in Budapest. He had finished 10th last year in Pontevedra.

Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW)Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), world U20 champ at 72kg, will be wrestling at 77kg in Samokov. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In a different weight class this year, Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) returns for Iran. After finishing 16th at 72kg last year, he moved up to 77kg. This will be his third World U20s, and he's aiming for his first medal. It'll be a tough challenge, however, as the weight class includes returning world 72kg champion, Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), who was also a world U17 champion in 2023.

Another former world U17 champion, Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO), won the European U20 gold, and is a strong contender for the world title. He's known for his formidable par terre defense and a successful gut-wrench.

The list of contenders also includes European U20 silver medalist Davud MAMMADOV (AZE), who lost to Putkaradze in the 2024 world U17 final but has senior-level experience. Asian U23 champion Akzhan YKYLASSOV (KAZ) is also a notable entry in this stacked weight class.

Georgia brings more podium threats, including European U20 champions Aleksandre RUSITASHVILI (GEO) at 72kg and Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) at 87kg. Rusitashvili will face a familiar field at 72kg, led by his European rival, Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM), a returning ninth from 67kg and 2024 Euro U20s silver medalist.

This weight class is a major focus for Greece, whose best medal hope is former world U17 champion Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE). He'll be challenged by Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI), who is making his U20 debut and seeking revenge after losing to Kolitsopoulos in the 2023 world U17 final.

Other contenders for gold include returning 67kg silver medalist Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ), former world U17 champion Joel ADAMS (USA), and Asian U20 champion Ahmad KODIROV (UZB).

For Kochalidze, repeating his results at 87kg from Euros may be tough, as the weight class features recently crowned world U17 champion, Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI).

The competition is further intensified by strong gold medal contenders, including Asian U20 champion and returning bronze medalist Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) and European U20 silver medalist Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW).

The 67kg weight class is shaping up to be one of the toughest in Samokov. Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW), the returning world 63kg champion, is the favorite to claim his second title. Last year, Zakriev was dominant, his only real test coming from Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) in the semifinals.

Khozrevanidze, who is also moving up to 67kg, won bronze at the European U20s and was the U23 champion. He will be looking to avenge his loss to Zakriev and win gold. Also in the mix is returning silver medalist Otto BLACK (USA). After competing at the senior level in Budapest and Zagreb without medaling, he'll face a new set of challenges with Zakriev and Khozrevanidze now in his weight class.

Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion and 2023 world U20 silver medalist, is back with gold on his mind. Vladyslav POKOTYLO (UKR), European U20 silver medalist, and Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB), Asian U20 silver medalist, are also strong favorites to reach the podium.

The 60kg weight class is stacked and leading the pack is European U20 champion Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE). He aims to add a world U20 gold to the U17 title he won last year. He will face a familiar rival in senior European bronze medalist Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), whom Javadov defeated in last year's European U20 final.

Returning bronze medalist Papik DZHAVADIAN (UWW), a Euro U23 bronze medalist, is also a serious contender for gold. Other top names include Isaiah CORTEZ (USA), a 55kg silver last year who has moved up in weight, and Adam SILVERIN (SWE), a European U20 silver medalist hoping to improve on last year's 12th-place finish to earn Sweden its first world U20 medal since 2021.

Former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) will make his U20 debut and his recent success makes him one of India's strongest medal hopes.

At 97kg, finalists from last year, Darius KIEFER (GER) and Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR), are set to resume their rivalry. Yakushenko is the defending champion, having defeated Kiefer 6-4 in the final last year in addition to beating the German wrestler in the European final as well.

However, Kiefer has already avenged his loss at the European level, defeating Yakushenko to win gold at this year. He is now focused on reversing his world U20 loss.

The field also includes strong contenders like Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO), who won a world U20 silver and European title in 2023 and a world U17 gold in 2022. He finished 12th at the U20 Euros but is a proven threat. Iran's Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), the Asian U20 champion, also has the talent to go all the way.

The 63kg weight class could be Uzbekistan's chance for gold. Following its recent success at U17 level, Uzbekistan will hope to continue the trend at the U20 Worlds. Senior Asian champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) is aiming to win Uzbekistan's first U20 Greco-Roman world title since 2011.

Standing in his way are several top contenders: European U20 champion Igor PUNCHENKO (UWW), silver medalist Tural AHMADOV (AZE), and Asian U20 champion Emirlan DUISHENALIEV (KGZ).

The 82kg weight class can witness former world U17 champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) win gold. He returns as a bronze medalist from last year, is the 2024 senior Asian champion. The field also has Anri DAVITADZE (GEO), whom Yoshida defeated for the bronze in Pontevedra last year.

The top challengers are Asian U20 champion Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ) and European U20 champion Mikhail SHKARIN (UWW), who is also a 2024 world U17 champion. Yoshida has a history with Shkarin, having defeated him in a thrilling 8-6 final at the 2023 World U17 Championships.