#WrestleTokyo

Beleniuk Moves to Top of Olympic Podium; Geraei, Kawai Strike Gold

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - 15:16 By Ken Marantz

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CHIBA, Japan (August 4) --- Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) likes to get more aggressive in the second period, figuring it might give him the last-point advantage in matches decided on passivity points. He didn't need that edge in winning his first Olympic gold medal.

Beleniuk scored four points out of the par terre in defeating Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) 5-1 in the Greco-Roman 87kg final on Wednesday night at Makuhari Messe Hall A, giving Ukraine its first Olympic gold in Greco since 1996.

In other finals on a night which featured wrestlers with siblings in the Olympics, Mohammedreza GERAEI (IRI) notched Iran's first wrestling gold with a solid victory at Greco 67kg, and Yukako KAWAI (JPN) did the same for the host country by taking the women's 62kg crown.

Beleniuk's victory was a repeat of the final at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, in which Beleniuk won 2-1 with all points awarded for passivity. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian star put up technical points by rolling Lorincz twice from the par terre position in the second period.

For Beleniuk, it caps a crusade to the top of the Olympic podium after having to settle for the silver at the 2012 London Games, which he went into as reigning world champion.

"This journey has been bumpy and hard," Beleniuk said. "The Olympics were postponed. Practice was not ideal during COVID. A dream came true today and I don't believe it. It will take some time to realize but tomorrow morning I will wake up with a smile."

Beleniuk said he felt the pressure of giving Ukraine its first Greco gold since Vyatsheslav OLEYNIK (UKR) won the country's lone previous one at 90kg at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It was the fourth wrestling gold overall won by Ukraine.

"Yes, of course I have felt all the tension and pressure," Beleniuk said. "I was the favorite and everybody was expecting and this is something that can not helped. I am a sports psychologist. My knowledge helps me with difficulties and focus on things."

The 30-year-old Beleniuk has one of the more unique background stories among Olympic wrestlers. He was born in Kyiv to a Ukrainian mother and Rwandan father, who was a pilot studying at the city's National Aviation University but would die in the Rwandan civil war.

While excelling as a wrestler, winning two world and three European titles, Beleniuk also got involved in politics and became the first Black member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

"I have won everything thanks to God," Beleniuk said. "I'm an MP [Member of Parliament] and I have been combining the two things. This has made life difficult. Anyway, now I'll rest, focus on work in Parliament."

Yukako KAWAIYukako KAWAI (JPN) became Olympic champion at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

While Lorincz's loss kept him from joining older brother Tamas as an Olympic champion, after the latter won the Greco 77kg gold on Tuesday, that dream remained in tact for the Kawai sisters of the host country.

Yukako Kawai, the younger sister of 57kg gold medal hopeful Risako KAWAI (JPN), defeated rival and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) 4-3 in the women's 62kg final, the first medal won by Japan's powerful women's team halfway through the six weight classes.

"I've faced her a number of times and I've won and I've lost," said Kawai, the 2018 world silver medalist and 2019 world bronze medalist. "This time it was at the Olympics hosted by Japan, so I really wanted to win no matter what. I wanted to show my best to everyone."

After giving up an activity point, Kawai successfully scored with a single-leg takedown to end the first period leading 2-1. It was the first points given up by Tynybekova in four matches.

"I don't remember why, I just did it without thinking," Kawai said of the takedown. "During the match, I just leave it up to what I've done in practice."

In the second period, Kawai padded her lead by spinning behind for 2 on a takedown counter. From that point, it was a battle against the clock as Tynybekova tried to find a way to break down her opponent's defenses.

She came close one time which ended in a stalemate, then got a takedown with 5 seconds remaining that left her one point short.

"This is a sport," said Tynybekova, who won her first medal in three Olympic appearances. "Allour life it's been wrestling and everybody wants to win. Everybody fights according to their style and I did like that. According to the results, Japan is the winner."

Kawai had lost to Tynybekova in their first two encounters, including a defeat by fall at the 2019 World Championships where Tynybekova became Kyrgyzstan's first-ever world champion--and raised hopes of become the country's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in any sport.

"To Kyrgyzstan, yes, I have won the first silver medal for women's wrestling," she said. "I wanted gold. I went to great lengths in my training and did not spare any opponent. Thank you to everyone who helped and waited for the medal. I did everything. But today I could not make history. For now, I have to be satisfied with this silver."

Kawai finally got the best of her rival at the 2020 Asian Championships, setting the stage for a high-level showdown at the Olympics. Kawai had used the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Games to work on building strength, and it paid off by her ability to fend off Tynybekova's attacks.

"In other sports that came before ours, I watched others win gold medals and I thought, 'That's cool, I definitely want one too.' I prepared coming into this, so I'm really happy to win a gold medal."

Earlier in the session, Kawai's older sister Risako earned a shot at a second straight Olympic gold by making the 57kg final. The two have long talked about winning Olympic golds together, and now they are one match away from having it come true.

"It's like a dream," Yukako said. "This was the stage I've always wanted to be on. I was able to get the ideal medal. I'm really happy....Up to now, I've always been second or third...To hear 'Olympic champion,' I'm happy, it's the best day ever."

For Tynybekova, she will have to wait another three years for the chance to earn that moniker.

"In general, my team, my coach and I prepared well," she said. "My coach did well to put me in the right mood. I felt very good in Tokyo. In the final match I could not do everything perfectly according to my coach's instructions."

Mohammadreza GERAEIMohammedali GERAEI (IRI) won the GR 67kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Geraei, who saw older brother Mohammedali lose in the bronze-medal match at 77kg the day before, gave the family something to celebrate by sweeping past Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) for the Greco 67kg gold with a 9-1 technical fall.

"I did my best to win the gold," said Geraei, the 2019 world U-23 and Asian champion at 72kg. "It was the dream of my life. Unfortunately, my brother could not because he had an injury fromIran. I hope he makes it in the next Olympics."

Leading 3-1 in the second period, Geraei scored 4 points off a driving tackle. An unsuccessful challenge of that call gave him another point, and then he finished off the technical fall at 4:09 by sidestepping a charging Nasibov and scoring a stepout.

Geraei said he expects to return to 72kg for this year's World Championships in Oslo in October, but is undecided beyond that.

"My future plan will be based on my coaches, weight category change as well," Geraei said. "In Norway I will fight at 72kg. For the next Olympics, I will do my best to win the next time with my brother. Hopefully the gold."

In bronze-medal matches, Germany came away with two medals, with 32-year-old Frank STAEBLER (GER) heading into retirement with a hard-earned and first Olympic medal at Greco 67kg to go with his three world titles.

Frank StaeblerFrank STAEBLER (GER) announced his retirement after winning bronze at 67kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Staebler, making his third Olympic appearance, chalked up a 4-point throw from the par terre position in the first period against Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) , then held off the 2018 world U-23 silver medalist for a 5-4 win.

World bronze medalist Denis KUDLA (GER) caught fire in the second period of his Greco 87kg clash with Mohamed METWALLY (EGY), gut-wrenching his way to a big lead before ending the match by fall at 5:36.

Egypt, however, will not leave Tokyo empty-handed as 2018 and 2019 world U-23 champion Mohammed ELSAYED (EGY) defeated Artem SURKOV (ROC) 1-1 at Greco 67kg. Both points were for passivity, and Elsayed fought off one final stint in the bottom of par terre to clinch the win.

The other Greco 87kg bronze went to Georgian-born Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB), who gave his adopted country just its second Olympic wrestling medal ever by beating Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 6-1.

European champion Datunashvili scored a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches in the first period to provide all the points he would need in denying Croatia its first-ever Olympic wrestling medal.

Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), the 2018 world champion, needed less than a minute to capture a women's 62kg bronze in her second Olympics. Yusein, who lost to Kawai 3-2 in the semifinals, gained a quick takedown against Liubov OVCHAROVA (ROC), then reeled off a combination of rolls and tilts for a 10-0 technical fall in :56.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) won the other 62kg bronze, scoring two stepouts in the second period of a 3-1 win over Anastasjia GRIGORJEVA (LAT), who had been aiming to win Latvia's first Olympic wrestling medal since 1936.

Elder Kawai holds off Maroulis in clash of Rio champs

Risako KAWAI Helen MAROULISRisako KAWAI (JPN), left, and Helen MAROULIS (USA) acknowledge after semifinal at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Earlier, Risako KAWAI (JPN) emerged victorious in a highly anticipated clash of Rio 2016 champions, holding off Helen MAROULIS (USA) 2-1 in the semifinals of the women's 57kg class.

Kawai was the Rio gold medalist at 63kg and Maroulis took the 53kg gold with her historic victory over Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) which made her the first American woman to win an Olympic wrestling gold.

At the Tokyo Olympics, they split the difference and met in the middle, aiming for the gold in the weight class in which Kaori ICHO (JPN) won in Rio her unprecedented fourth gold medal.

Icho had actually aimed for a fifth, but lost out in Japan qualifying to Kawai.

In their first-ever meeting, neither Kawai nor Maroulis could break through the other's defenses. In the end, all of the points were scored on the activity clock, with Kawai, regarded as the more aggressive, gaining two.

"The result is the most important thing," Kawai told Japanese TV. "The issues that came up in the morning I talked over with my coach and resolved."

Kawai said she was prepared for the showdown. "She applies a lot of pressure. I had never faced her before, but I saw videos. When we tied up, I felt right away that it was different from those I practiced with and I felt I could handle it."

For Maroulis, the journey to the Tokyo Olympics was a challenge in itself. She had suffered from concussions and a knee injury, and might not have even given it a shot had the Games not been postponed for a year.

"In that year my health actually started getting better, so that was just a blessing," Maroulis said. "If you told me a year ago that I was gonna feel this healthy today and be like 100 percent, I would have probably not believed you. So to be here like this, I'm so grateful."

With the seconds ticking down, Maroulis desparately launched attacks, but was repelled each time.

"In those last 30 seconds, 40 seconds, I really felt like I pushed the pace, but I felt like I got out-positioned," Maroulis said. "I felt like I would be really close to getting her to maybe open up so I could get a takedown, but it just didn't happen."

Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) df. Artur NAIFONOVHassan YAZDANI (IRI) wrestle Artur NAIFANOV (ROC) in the 86kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Another match for the ages was set up in Thursday's freestyle 86kg final, where Rio Olympic and reigning world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) will battle it out with David TAYLOR (USA) in a long-awaited rematch of the 2018 world final won by the American.

Yazdani, who won the 74kg gold in Rio before moving up to the next Olympic weight class and winning the 2017 world title, scored a takedown and a 4-point counter lift in the second period to oust 2019 world bronze medalist Artur NAIFONOV (ROC) 7-1 in the semifinals.

Taylor stormed into the final with his third technical fall of the day, manhandling world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-0 in 2:49.

"I am excited for the final," Taylor said. "Yazdani is a great competitor, we’ve had battles, one of the best wrestling stars out there. For wrestling to grow you need stars to wrestle each other."

Yazdani is aiming to become the first-ever two-time Olympic champion for wrestling-mad Iran, while Taylor is shooting for a gold medal in his Olympic debut.

"I have to go out there and get it," Taylor said. "It’s not gonna be given to me at all."

Taylor missed the 2019 World Championships after undergoing knee surgery, while Yazdani has been unbeaten since that loss in Budapest in 2018, including winning a second Asian title this year.

Taylor won their two previous meetings, a victory by fall in the 2017 World Cup in Iran and an 11-6 win in the first round at the 2018 worlds.

In the freestyle 57kg semifinals, favorite Zavur UGUEV (ROC) looked more like the two-time world champion than he did in two close victories in the early rounds, notching an 8-3 victory over 2019 Asian champion Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI).

Uguev gave up a roll early on, but came back with a takedown to make it 2-2 going into the second period. A stepout and a pair of takedowns put him in control as he repeated his victory over the Iranian from the quarterfinals at the 2019 World Championships.

In the final, Uguev will face Ravi KUMAR (IND), who rallied from the brink of defeat for a stunning victory by fall over fellow 2019 world bronze medalist Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ).

Kumar never gave up after falling behind 2-9 in the second period, going on the attack to score two takedowns and clamping down for a fall at 5:21 after the second.

Kumar, looking to avenge a loss to Uguev from the semifinals at the 2019 worlds, will get a chance to become India's first-ever Olympic wrestling champion, after becoming just the second in history to make an Olympic final. Sushil KUMAR (IND) took the freestyle 66kg silver at the 2012 London Olympics.

Day 4 Results

Freestyle

57kg
SF1 - Ravi KUMAR (IND) df. Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) by Fall, 5:21 (7-9)
SF2 - Zavur UGUEV (ROC) df. Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI), 8-3

86kg
SF1 - Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Artur NAIFONOV (ROC), 7-1
SF2 - David TAYLOR (USA) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 2:49

Greco-Roman

67kg
GOLD - Mohammedreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) by TF, 9-1, 4:09

BRONZE - Frank STAEBLER (GER) df. Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), 5-4
BRONZE - Mohammed ELSAYED (EGY) df. Artem SURKOV (ROC), 1-1

87kg
GOLD - Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 5-1

BRONZE - Denis KUDLA (GER) df. Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) by Fall, 5:36 (8-1)
BRONZE - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), 6-1

Women's Wrestling

57kg
SF1 - Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. Helen MAROULIS (USA), 2-1
SF2 - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) by TF, 11-0, 4:42

62kg
GOLD - Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), 4-3

BRONZE - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Anastasjia GRIGORJEVA (LAT), 3-1
BRONZE - Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) df. Liubov OVCHAROVA (ROC) by TF, 10-0, :56

#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.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

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.