#Tokyo2020

IOC Confirms Wrestling's Qualification Process

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 14:32 By United World Wrestling Press

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The International Olympic Committee Executive Committee just approved the Wrestling Qualification System for Tokyo 2020. United World Wrestling is one of the first International Federations that updated its Qualification System for Tokyo 2020.

The main principles and rules will remain the same. As mentioned earlier to all the National Wrestling Federations, Morocco, Hungary and China will keep the organization of the Continental Qualifiers and Bulgaria will organize the World Qualification.

We are very happy to be able to announce the next steps towards the Olympic Games for all the athletes. They will have clear understanding of the qualification process and be able to adjust their preparation to achieve their goal – be qualified for the Games.

The main change in that document is the eligibility to attend the Olympic Games. The athletes who will turn 18 years old (2003) in 2021 will be allowed to compete in the Qualifiers and in the Olympic Games.

You will be able to find the complete Qualification System on our Website - https://unitedworldwrestling.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/200428_final_qs_wrestling.pdf

#WrestleBratislava

Adar, the woman of firsts in Turkiye wrestling, retires

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 09:17 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Turkiye's first-ever Olympic medalist, first-ever world and European champion in Women's Wrestling, Yasemin ADAR (TUR)retired Thursday after 16 years of international wrestling.

A winner of seven gold medals at the European Championships did not have a fairytale ending as she lost the 76kg final against Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) on Thursday at the European Championships in Bratislava.

Despite the loss, Adar undoubtedly retires the trailblazer in Women's Wrestling for Turkiye. In 2016, she won her first European title to create history before adding the world title in 2017. In 2021, she became the first Turkish wrestler in Women's Wrestling to win the bronze medal when she pinned Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) to claim the medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I had an incredible career in the 76kg category," Adar said after the European Championships final. "I had many successes and many firsts. I became a two-time world champion. I was at the Olympics with bronze medal. So I have an incredibly beautiful career and I am proud of myself. I can't believe it. It's very difficult to describe. I am very emotional today."

Adar, who had tears in her eyes while was taking off her shoes on the mat to mark her retirement, is aptly called the "woman of firsts" in Türkiye. With her teammates and family in the stands cheering for her, the final match became even more emotional for Adar.

"I finished my wrestling and believe me it was not easy at all," she said. "I even rehearsed it many times before coming here. I said this is where I will finish my career. In my speech, I always wanted to be considered as the legend of 76kilograms. This match was more nervous for me. I had planned it beforehand, I knew that this match was the last match. Even though I couldn't earn the gold medal, I ended it with silver. But believe me, there are really great successes in my career."

On how she came to the decision of retiring at the European Championships, Adar was clear that she wanted to pass on the baton to the younger generation.

"Even if you don't want it, wrestling starts to leave you," she said. "Although there are those who say I am very good, I try to compare it to a situation like this. I am 34-years-old with an 18-year-old athlete and unfortunately we cannot have the same performance."