#Grappling, #Pankration

Grappling, AMMA 2026 European C'ships in Armenia, Asians in Vietnam

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 10) -- United World Wrestling has announced the dates and host cities for its 2026 Grappling, Pankration and Amateur MMA continental championships.
 
The 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA European Championships will take place in Yerevan, Armenia from May 24 to 31. The event will feature competitions in the U15, U17, U20, Senior and Veteran age categories, bringing together top athletes from across the Europe.

Shortly after, the 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA Asian Championships will be held Da Nang, Vietnam, from June 4 to 9 June. The competition will be in all age categories barring the Veterans.

European Championships Schedule:
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17, U15 & Veteran Grappling European Championships, May 24-27 (Yerevan, Armenia)
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 AMMA & Pankration European Championships, May 28-31 (Yerevan, Armenia)

Asian Championships Schedule:
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 Grappling Asian Championships, June 4-6 (Da Nang, Vietnam)
- 2026 Senior, U20, U17 & U15 AMMA & Pankration Asian Championships, June 7-9 (Da Nang, Vietnam)

Importantly, both Championships will be held in only Grappling style and will not have Grappling Gi style.

Open Grappling Tournament

Vietnam will also host an open Grappling international tournament, 2026 Tri-Titans Grappling Open, from June 2 to 3. The tournament will be open to athletes of all ages from around the world.

Further information regarding event regulations, entry deadlines, and logistical details will be communicated in due course by UWW. National Federations are encouraged to mark the dates and contact UWW for any queries.

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 4 Results & Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 23) -- The day four of the U23 World Championships will be all Women's Wrestling in four weight classes -- 55kg, 57kg, 65kg and 68kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 17:00 hours local time

13:10: Aryna DZEMCHANKA MARTYNAVA (UWW) with a fall over Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) at 57kg. She built an 8-0 lead in the first minute before securing the pin.

12:30: Akari FUJINAMIM (JPN) gets her second 10-0 technical superiority win at 57kg. She switches her attacks and uses the leg lace to win against Neha SHARMA (IND). 

12:15: Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) had begun well against Amory ANDRICH (GER) and led 6-0 before Andrich held her on the mat to secure a fall at 55kg. Rodriguez is left stunned.

12:05: Beyza AKKUS (TUR) with a powerful gut-wrench against Nana IKEHATA (JPN) to post a 10-0 technical superiority win at 65kg.

12:00: Akari FUJINAMI's (JPN) debut at 57kg begins with a 10-0 win over Yifan TANG (CHN) in just a minute and 38 seconds. Fujinami with a pick to get four points before adding a takedown and turn to lead 8-0. A single leg finish for takedown for the technical superiority win.

11:40: Neha SHARMA (IND) continues her winning run with a 5-0 blanking of Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ). However, she is likely to get Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) next

11:30: Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN) ends Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) debut at the U23 World Championships as the Hungarian beats the Sri Lankan 6-2 at 57kg.

11:10: Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) with a massive throw to pin Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE) at 55kg. Rodriguez is a former U20 world champion and recently wrestled at the senior Worlds in Zagreb.

11:00: Upset of the morning session as NISHU (IND) launches a perfect headlock throw and holds Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) on the mat to secure the fall at 55kg! Nishu was lead 2-2 on criteria when she hit the big throw.

10:45: Three four-point moves in the 15-10 match between Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) and Inna ALIMOVA (LTU). Poruthotage never surrendered her lead once she was up 4-2 early in the bout despite various comebacks form Alimova. In the end, Poruthotage held a 12-10 lead and when Alimova hit an attack, the Sri Lankan blocked her and scored two points on exposure. A lost challenge from Lithuania made it 15-10.

10:40: Former U20 world champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN) with a huge win over Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) at 57kg. Elekes was up 3-2 when Mammadova, a U23 European champion, tries to hit a big throw but Elekes blocks her and lands on top and holds Mammadova to win 5-2.

10:20: After a few Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling repechage bouts, the qualification rounds in Women's Wrestling begin. Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) is returning to international competition for the first time since winning the gold in Paris at 53kg. She is now at 57kg.