#BeachWrestlingWorldSeries

Beach Wrestling World Series Boasts Action-Packed First Day in Portugal

Friday, March 29, 2019 - 17:38 By Tim Foley

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CHAVES, Portugal (March 29) – Spectators watched from the banks of the Tamega River Friday as wrestlers from a dozen countries began their quest for prize money and national pride during the first stop of the 2019 Beach Wrestling World Series.

The event is one of four in the Beach Wrestling World Series, an annual series launched this year by United World Wrestling in support of its associated style, beach wrestling.

“This was a fun first day,” said Kamilla FAMA, who competed at 50kg for Brazil losing her first match. “I wish I would have performed better, but I love wrestling and being in the sand. This is going to get bigger every stop!

Camila FAMA (BRA) and Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) after day one of wrestling at the Beach Wrestling World Series in Chaves. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Sand and wrestlers went flying during the qualification rounds on Friday, with dozens of wrestlers sending opponents arching towards the ground. Perhaps the highest-flying maneuver was by Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) who used a wrist and underhook to toss Pedro Jacinto GARCIA PEREZ (ESP) in their session ending bout at -90kg.

Marsagishvili is a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and 2011 world medalist making him the most accomplished of the mat wrestlers in attendance.

Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) after his session ending three-point throw. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Wrestling action will continue tomorrow morning at 10am with two more qualification rounds in each weight class. The medal rounds will start at 3pm local time.

The medal rounds are more significant now than in year’s past as place-winners will be awarded cash prizes based on where they finish. Gold medalist will earn 1000 CHF, silver 500 CHF, and bronze 250 CHF in each of the eight weight categories (four men, four women). There is also an additional prize of 1000 CHF for the best move of the tournament, which will be selected by the fans, athletes, and coaches at the end of the event.

In addition to money and national pride the place winners at tomorrow’s final session also earn points in qualifying for the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games held in San Diego in October. Competitors will also able to capture additional points at the next Beach Wrestling World Series stop May 10-11 in Rio de Janeiro.

The Beach Wrestling World Series can be watched live around the world on FloWrestling.org. Fans and athletes can also follow the Beach Wrestling World Series on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

#UWWAwards

UWW Breakout Wrestlers of 2025: Hidlay, Farokhi, Onishi

Monday, December 15, 2025 - 12:24 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 14) -- The 2025 Breakout Wrestlers of the Year were not the ones anyone circled heading into the season. They weren’t the favorites, or the ones analysts picked to walk away from the season as world medalists.

They were the outsiders, largely unproven and underestimated. But that all changed in a single season when they smashed expectations, catapulting themselves into world-wide stardom with world-title runs that nobody saw coming.

Freestyle Breakout Performer of the Year: Trent HIDLAY (USA)

Before 2025, Hidlay had never climbed to the top of a podium at an international event. His  2025 season even began with more doubt than promise, dropping his second match of the year to rising Azeri phenom Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) at the Zagreb Open. But that loss lit a fuse. From that moment on, the 26-year-old didn’t just improve -- he transformed.

Hidlay unleashed a stunning 13-match win streak and collected gold medals at the Pan-American Championships, the Budapest Ranking Series and the World Championships. Along the way, he knocked off giants -- Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), just to name a few.

Then came the finale: a world finals comeback for the ages. Down and all but finished, Hidlay stormed back to defeat Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW). In one year, Hidlay didn’t just win -- he arrived.

Greco-Roman Breakout Performer of the Year: Gholemreza FAROKHI (IRI)

When opportunity knocked, Farokhi wasn’t just there to answer it, he was there to kick the door off its hinges. The 23-year-old stepped into Iran’s senior lineup for the first time in his career and tore through anyone in front of him -- whether it was at 82kg or 87kg.

Farokhi bulldozed his way to gold medals at the two World Championships he participated in. He racked up a perfect 17-0 record, including 11 technical superiority wins and six decisions, sweeping gold at the World Championships, U23 World Championships, the Islamic Solidarity Games, and the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Women’s Wrestling Breakout Performer of the Year: Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

At 19 years old, Onishi entered the senior circuit with massive goals but had zero experience and zero fear. In mere months, she became a problem no one had an answer for.

Onishi tore through the season with a flawless 15-0 record, capturing titles at the Senior and U20 World Championships, the Asian Championships, and the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. Her dominance wasn’t subtle -- it was exactly what you’d expect from a Japanese women’s wrestler -- 11 tech falls, three pins, and a decision, outscoring opponents 158-17.