U23 World C'ships

Japan Sweeps Gold-Medal Matches on First Night of Women’s Freestyle

Thursday, November 23, 2017 - 21:26 By Taylor Miller

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BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – The Japanese women’s freestyle team went four-for-four in Thursday night’s U23 World Championship finals in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Haruna OKUNO and Yuzuru KUMANO each won their second World gold medals of the year.

Senior World champion and 2016 Cadet World champion Okuno bested Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) in the 55 kg finals with a 5-2 win.

The first takedown went to Kurachkina, but Okuno persisted and fought her way to five unanswered points and the third World gold medal of her young career.

Junior World champion Kumano also tallied her second World title of the year on Thursday, defeating 2014 Junior World champion Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL).

Altantsetseg led at the break, 1-0. At the whistle, Kumano put the Mongolian to her back for four points and rolled right into a gut wrench. It was a lead that Altantseteg was unable to overcome. Kumano went on to win 6-1.

Points were flying at 63 kg, where Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) pulled out a last-second win over Braxton STONE (CAN), who was one of two finalists for Canada.

Now-four-time World medalist Stone held an 8-5 lead with 10 seconds left in the match. Forcing Stone toward the edge, Gempei threw the Canadian with a body lock for four points and an eventual 10-8 win.

At 75 kg, Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) won with a technical fall over Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN) in the second period. Matsuyuki’s offense proved to be too much as she fired off four takedowns en route World gold.

Finals results

55 kg
Gold - Haruna OKUNO (JPN) dec. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), 5-2
Bronze - Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) win by fall Bediha GUN (TUR)
Bronze - Nina MENKENOVA (RUS) dec. Simona PRICOB (ROU), 5-0

58 kg
Gold - Yuzuru KUMANO (JPN) dec. Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL), 6-1
Bronze - Elin Johanna NILSSON (SWE) win by fall Xiaosen WANG (CHN)
Bronze - Tetyana KIT (UKR) dec. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 3-1

63 kg
Gold - Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) dec. Braxton Rei STONE (CAN), 10-8
Bronze - Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) win by fall Tatiana SMOLIAK (RUS)
Bronze - Moa Lena Maria NYGREN (SWE) win by fall Luzie MANZKE (GER)

75 kg
Gold - Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) tech. fall Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN), 12-2
Bronze - Francy RAEDELT (GER) tech. fall Mabelkis CAPOTE PEREZ (CUB), 14-4
Bronze - Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) win by fall Pooja POOJA (IND)

 

#development

Legendary Coach Trujillo Arrives in Kyrgyzstan to Hone Greco Talent

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 13:22 By United World Wrestling Press

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 24) -- Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ (CUB), the recipient of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, is on a mission to change the Greco-Roman landscape. 

After spending two months in China, Trujillo is in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to help the country's U23 national team as it prepares for the U23 Asian Championships next month in Vietnam.

Trujillo was welcomed in Bishkek on Thursday and he visited the national academy and from Monday he will join the national camp to guide the team for the tournament.

Raul TRUJILLORaul TRUJILLO, left, in Bishkek.

Last year, Trujillo signed a development contract to work with UWW with a focus on youth development, coach education, and high-performance training systems.

Trujillo has been a long time coach and lifelong mentor of Mijain LOPEZ, guiding him through the most dominant stretch of his historic career.

Kyrgyzstan recently hosted the Asian Championships in Bishkek and had a successful campaign in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. The country finished second in team standing in Greco, fourth in Women's Wrestling and fifth in Freestyle.