Kayaalp, Maskevich Dominate Through Finals; Russia Wins WW Title

Friday, April 23, 2021 - 20:37 By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (April 23) -- No spectators were allowed at the Sportowa COS Torwar stadium in Warsaw, but if they were, Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) would have received the loudest cheer as both made it the finals of their respective weight categories in style.

While their both reached the summit clash, their paths were contrasting. Kayaalp used his experience to set up the opponents before dominating them in the three wins he needed to reach the final at 130kg. Kayaalp is chasing his 10th senior European title and is one step away from that.

Maskevich was more aggressive and had some hiccups before he entered the final at 87kg. After battling a world medalist, a world champion and even coming from behind to win, the young Belarussian phenom will look to win his first senior European title on Saturday.

Kayaalp led the way as three Turkish wrestlers made it to the final followed by two from Russia. Azerbaijan, Hungary, Belarus, Serbia and Georgia also had a finalist each.

The senior European Championships in Warsaw, Poland entered its fifth day with Greco-Roman action beginning in five weight categories – 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg. The medal bouts of the five women's weight category were also held as Russia won the team title.

Close to two months after he won the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series gold medal, Kayaalp was back on the mat. Beginning with the qualification round, the Turkey legend got going with a technical superiority win over Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR).

In the quarterfinal, Alin CIURARIU (ROU) had no chance one Kayaalp had been down on the mat. He completed a 8-0 win over the Romanian to move into the semifinal.

He took some time but once Eduard POPP (GER) was called for inactivity, Kayaalp got two turns and then a fall to reach his 11th European championship final.

Testing him in the final on Saturday will be 2019 World bronze medalist and European Games champion Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) who defeated Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) 5-0 in the other semifinal.

This will be a rematch of the 2019 European Championships final which the Turkey wrestler won with ease.

Kiryl MASKEVICH European Championships 2021 — Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) reacts after beating Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) in Warsaw. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another rematch in the final will be at 87kg as Maskevich will face Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) for the gold medal. The two met four months ago at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, for a quarterfinal spot which Maskevich, the eventual champion, won 10-3.

Maskevich was one to enthrall live viewers from the word go as he opened up with a big opening round win against multiple time world medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN). He launched a pair of lifts to finish the bout in the first period itself with a score of 9-0.

But his tournament was well over when Individual World Cup winner at 82kg Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) led, 6-0. Maskevich then launched a headlock to pin the Russian to his back and he held it long enough to get the fall. He let out a loud roar before consoling his opponent.

Tornike DZAMASHVILI (GEO) was his next victim as he scored a 9-1 win over the Georgian to reach the semifinal and win it against Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) 9-1.

Serbian transfer from Georgia Datunashvili had a field as well on the other side of the 87kg bracket as he defeated world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR), 1-1, in the quarterfinal before humbling Rio Olympic bronze medalist and world silver medalist Denis KUDLA (GER),2-1, in the semifinal.

At 55kg, a pair of world champions failed to reach the finals as Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) defeated 2019 world champion at 55kg Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), 9-0, in the quarterfinals before losing his semifinal against Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) 5-4.

This was Azizli's second straight win over Tsurtsumia after winning the semifinal at the 2018 World Championships. But he could not keep up his performance as he lost 4-5 against Sefershaev.

Azizli led 2-1 in the semifinal after the first period as he gave a point for inactivity but Sefershaev failed to roll him, instead gave up two points.

The second period saw Azizli getting another passive warning which made the score 2-2. A pushout, which was challenged by Russia, gave him a 4-2 lead which was intact until 18 seconds were left in the bout.

Sefershaev jumped over Azizli and grabbed him for a reverse lock and exposed him for two. The call was challenged by Azerbaijan but with no luck. In the end, it was a close, heartbreaking loss for Azizli.

From the other side of the bracket, 2018 world bronze medalist Ekrem OZTURK made it to the finals after beating Rudik MKRTHCHYAN (ARM), 5-4, and producing a technical superiority win over Artsiom KATSAR (BLR) in the semifinal.

Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) European Championships 2021

Another thriller was seen at 63kg as World Cup winner Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) scored nine points in the second period after trailing 0-5 against junior European champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) to win 9-5.

As if waiting for the passivity call against Abuladze, Lokyaev lifted him twice for four-point throws and won the battle.

He will face Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final as the Azerbaijan wrestler defeated Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) 7-1. Had the Latvian wrestler reached the final, it would have been his country's first senior European medal in 83 years.

Mammadov and Lokyaev wrestled in the quarterfinal at the Individual World Cup in November last year with the Russian claiming a 2-0 win.

Another world champion to make it to the final with ease was Tamas LORINCZ (HUN). He had little to no trouble to reach the 77kg final against Yunus BASAR (TUR).

In the semifinal, Lorincz won 5-0 against Michael WIDMAYER (GER) while Basar was happy with a 4-0 win over Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), who had earlier ended the tournament for 72kg world champion Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) with 12-3 win.

Ringaci avenges loss, Russia win title

As soon as the 65kg final finished, Irina RINGACI (MDA) ran to her coach for a long hug. The Moldova wrestler ran back to the mat as the referee raised her hand as the champion of Europe. While it was an overwhelming feeling for her, it became even more emotional given the manner in which she won the gold medal.

Over four months ago, Ringaci was in the final of the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, and a win away from winning the gold. But all her dreams came crashing down as Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) defeated her, 14-4.

Cut to April in Warsaw, the two faced each other in the European Championships final, and this time, Ringaci makes no mistake and claims a technical superiority 10-0 win over Rizhko.

Ringaci got a body lock from behind to send Rizhko flying for a four before she came out on top in scramble she initiated using a slide-by. Two chest wrap exposures were enough for her to claim the gold medal in the Polish capital.

That denied Ukraine three gold medals which could have propelled them to a team title on the final day of women's wrestling. Russia claimed the title after Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) won the 53kg gold medal while Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) won the bronze at 72kg.

Ukraine's two gold medals came via Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at 62kg as she denied Marianna SASTIN (HUN) her first European gold medal. Alla BELINSKA (UKR) also won a gold medal for her country as she defeated Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) 6-3 in the 72kg final.

Sastin tried hard to get a big attack in the final seconds of the 62kg final but Koliadenko was strong enough to hold her 4-1 lead and win the gold medal. This was Sastin's seventh European medal but none of them the top one.

Olympic silver medalist Valeria KOBLOVA (RUS)'s troubles continued at 62kg as she lost the bronze medal bout 0-5 to Veranika IVANOVA (BLR). On Thursday, she had suffered a loss by fall in the semifinal.

The second bronze at 62kg went to Katarzyna MADROWSKA (POL) as world silver medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) opted out.

In the 53kg final, Khoroshavtseva was totally dominant against Rio Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and gave no chance to her in the final. Three takedowns and a lost challenge from Greece handed her a 7-0 win.

The bronze medal at 53kg went to Iulia LEORDA (MDA) who defeated Tatyana VARANSOVA (AZE) 10-0 and Annika WENDLE (GER) who came out on top against Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 8-1.

Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) ended the dream run and home country's gold medal hope Anhelina LYSAK (POL) by beating her 15-4 in the 57kg final.

Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) fought out a close bronze medal bout against Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) at 57kg but won 8-7. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) completed a victory via fall over Francesca INDELICATO (ITA) to win the second bronze at the weight.

Kriszta INCZE (ROU) and Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL) captured the bronze medals at 65kg with a 4-3 win and a victory by fall over IrIna Petrovna NETREBA (AZE) and Alina ANTIPOVA (LAT), respectively.

In the final weight category of the day, 72kg, Dalma CANEVA (ITA) battled it out against Maria SELMAIER (GER) for a 3-2 win and the bronze medal. Zakharchenko won the other with an 11-0 win over Merve PUL (TUR).

Greco-Roman Semifinal Results

55kg
GOLD - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) vs. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR)

SEMIFINAL - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 5-4
SEMIFINAL - Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) df. Artsiom KATSAR (BLR), 8-0

63kg
GOLD - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) vs. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)

SEMIFINAL - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 9-5
SEMIFINAL - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT), 7-1

77kg
GOLD - Yunus BASAR (TUR) vs. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)

SEMIFINAL - Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), 4-0
SEMIFINAL - Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) df. Michael WIDMAYER (GER), 5-0

87kg
GOLD - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) vs. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)

SEMIFINAL - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 9-1
SEMIFINAL - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Denis KUDLA (GER), 2-1

130kg
GOLD - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)

SEMIFINAL - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Eduard POPP (GER), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 5-0

European Championships 2021 WW 62kg podium

Day Five WW Medal Results

53kg
GOLD - Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 7-0

BRONZE - Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df. Tatyana VARANSOVA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE - Annika WENDLE (GER) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 8-1

57kg
GOLD - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Anhelina LYSAK (POL), 15-4

BRONZE - Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS), 8-7
BRONZE - Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Francesca INDELICATO (ITA), via fall

62kg
GOLD - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Marianna SASTIN (HUN), 4-1

BRONZE - Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) df. Valeria KOBLOVA ZHOLOBOVA (RUS),5-0
BRONZE - Katarzyna MADROWSKA (POL) df. Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL), via fall

65kg
GOLD - Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE - Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) df. IrIna Petrovna NETREBA (AZE), 4-3
BRONZE - Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL) df. Alina Aleksandra ANTIPOVA (LAT), via fall

72kg
GOLD - Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Yuliana Vasileva YANEVA (BUL), 6-3

BRONZE - Dalma CANEVA (ITA) df. Maria SELMAIER (GER), 3-2
BRONZE - Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df. Merve PUL (TUR), 11-0

#WrestleAthens

U17 World Wrestling Championships 2025 Preview

Friday, July 25, 2025 - 16:28 By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 23) -- Eight years after it last hosted the World U17 Championships, Greece gears up for another.

The 2025 World U17 Championships will be held in Athens from July 28 to August 3 at the Ano Liosia Olympic Hall, the historic venue where wrestling competition during the 2004 Olympics was held.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

While the wrestlers will be making new memories, one former wrestler will be reliving old memories. Four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) will be revisiting Athens, this time as Japan’s team coach, 21 years after she won her first gold medal at the Games in 2004.

Japan is expected to reclaim the Women's Wrestling team title it lost to India in 2024. The United States, Ukraine and China are also sending strong teams.

In Freestyle, the U.S. will battle it out with Iran, the top two countries last year. Meanwhile, in Greco-Roman, Iran will face challenges from Asian counterparts and Azerbaijan.

The competition will begin with Greco-Roman on July 28 with five weight classes and will follow a two-day format. Women's Wrestling will begin July 30 and Freestyle on August 1. The repechage and medal bouts of each weight category will be held the next day.

The action from the World U17 Championships will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW App. Follow United World Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube.

Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) is one of the returning world U17 champions in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

The defending team champion the U.S. boasts a quality line-up including world champ Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) and four Pan-Am champions from 2025 -- Ariah MILLS (USA), Alexander TAYLOR (USA), Jayden JAMES (USA) and Arseni KIKINIOU (USA).

Iran, which missed the Asian U17 Championships, has wrestlers who have previous success at Asian level and in ISF Gymnasiade. It won only two gold medals last year, but it hopes Morteza HAJ (IRI), Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI), Arian MEHRALIZADEH (IRI) and Amirhossein NAGHDALIPOUR (IRI) will help it better that number this year.

Said PASHAYEV (AZE) is the European champion at 92kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Six out of the 10 European champions from 2025 are set to be in Athens with Azerbaijan entering three. Ravan HASANZADE (AZE) at 48kg, Ruslan ALIZADA (AZE) at 55kg and Said PASHAYEV (AZE) at 92kg will be the biggest hopes for Azerbaijan to win gold, a medal the country was denied last year.

The other European champs are Zorab ALOIEV (UKR) at 61kg, Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) at 80kg and Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) at 110kg.

Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ) won the 60kg gold at the Asian U17 Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan had a successful Asian U17 Championships in Vietnam after the no-show of Iran and Japan's subdued performance.

Kazakhstan won two gold medals in Vietnam and both wrestlers, Ibrahim YSKAKBEK (KAZ) at 55kg and Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ) at 60kg, will be in Athens and try to win a world gold, a medal the country has not won since 2022.

Kyrgyzstan also had two gold medalists, Arnur NURSAIDOV (KGZ) at 45kg and Dovudbek BAKHADIROV (KGZ) at 48kg, at Asian Championships. The onus will be on these to lead the team as it looks for a second straight top-three finish. Last year, it placed third, the highest for the country at the world level.

Uzbekistan won only one gold in Vietnam but every wrestler competed for a medal, helping it finish third. Japan and India, fourth and fifth in Vietnam, are likely to be the dark horses in Greece.

A few others who can surprise the field including returning silver medalist Frederick BACHMANN (PUR) at 60kg, returning champ Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) at 51kg, Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB) at 55kg, returning silver medalist Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) at 65kg and Hasan HASANOV (AZE) at 60kg.

KAJAL (IND) was one of India's five world U17 champions in 2024. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women's Wrestling

Japan will undoubtedly be favored to win the team title but in the last few years, Japan's supremacy has been challenged by both the United States and India.

India won the team title last year for the first time with an incredible performance, winning five gold medals while Japan only won one.

Can Japan bounce back? Certainly.

Yu KATAOKA (JPN) at 49kg and Rion OGAWA (JPN) at 53kg have dominated the continental level and have been unbeaten internationally. They will lead a team that also includes An NAKANISHI (JPN), Sayuki HIBARINO (JPN) and Hanano OYA (JPN).

Japan will have to step up when it comes to heavier weight classes if it wants to capture the trophy. The presence of Icho as coach should serve as motivation for the young wrestlers, who take on the world.

India will have six current and former continental champions in Athens. KAJAL (IND), world champ at 69kg, will be at 73kg this year but will still be the favorite to win the gold medal. She was dealt a shock loss at the Asian Championships by Wenjin QIU (CHN) in the final. Qiu will also be in Athens and a potential clash with Kajal is on the cards.

Asian champ RACHANA (IND), who has silver from 2023 Worlds, will be at 43kg hoping to win gold. Kasish GURJAR (IND) was the Asian champion in 2023, MONI (IND) is the Asian champ at 57kg while Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) is a two-time continental champion at 65kg. MANISHA (IND), who won gold in Vietnam, will lead India's charge at 69kg.

Former world u17 champion Morgan TURNER (USA) is one of the favorites to win at 49kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The U.S. is bringing a host of Pan-American champions but its biggest star will be 2023 world champ Morgan TURNER (USA), who also won the bronze medal in 2024. She will be at 49kg, a weight class in which she won the Pan-Am gold this year.

At 40kg, Maisie ELLIOTT (USA) is a Pan-Am champion and so is Emma BACON (USA) at 57kg, Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) at 61kg, Violette LASURE (USA) at 65kg, Cassandra GONZALES (USA) at 69kg and Ella Jo POALILLO (USA) at 73kg.

Jaclyn BOUZAKIS (USA), who also won Pan-Am gold at 46kg, is a returning bronze medalist and will be one of the favorites for the gold medal this year.

From Europe, nine 2025 continental champions are entered for Athens. European champion at 40kg Valia HARSAN (ROU) will test herself against Asian champion Shokhista SHONAZAROVA (UZB) along with other big names in the field including European silver medalist Polina TIMSINA (EST), European bronze medalist Finja STRAUCH (GER) and Daria MASLENNIKOVA (UWW), who is three-time European U15 champion.

Raniia RAKHMANOVA (UWW) was the champion at 43kg and will be the favorite for the gold medal as well.

At 46kg, Nazrin AHMADLI (AZE) is a returning bronze medalist from 40kg but will contend with Janka SILLEI (HUN) in the weight class. Sillei is unbeaten internationally and won the European gold in Skopje. Local wrestler and world silver from 43kg Maria GKIKA (GRE) will hope to win a medal for the hosts. Additionally, Gurjar, Hanano OYA (JPN), world silver from 40kg Kamila KUCHMA (UKR), Bouzakis and European silver Irina TSYDEEVA (UWW) will have their eyes on gold.

A battle between Kataoka and Turner is expected at 49kg which also has Asian silver medalist Saniya SOLTANGALI (KAZ) and returning bronze medalist and European champ Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW).

SAARIKA (IND) won the Asian U20 Championships gold medal after a close win over Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN), a Klippan Lady Open champion and 2022 World U17 Championships silver medalist. But for success in Athens, Saarika will have to battle it out with European champion at 53kg Mariia ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), Japanese star Ogawa, two-time European silver Fatma YILMAZ (TUR) and Euro U15 champ Yuliia HOLHOVSKA (UKR), who is 15 years old and Elison.

Japan has unheralded Sayuki TANADA (JPN) at 57kg which also has Asian champion MONI (IND), Asian silver Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ), European silver Ivanna LUKIANENKO (UKR) and Bacon. This is the only weight class in which the European champion has not entered.

Miranda KAPANADZE (GEO) is Georgia's first-ever European champion in Women's Wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 61kg, history-maker for Georgia's Miranda KAPANADZE (GEO) has entered hoping to win a world medal for Georgia in Women's Wrestling. She was the first European champ for Georgia in Women's Wrestling. But she will face resistance from Asian champ Zhaidar MUKAT (KAZ), European silver Ozdenur OZMEZ (TUR) and European champ Zalina TOTROVA (UWW).

Germany's Feenja HERMANN (GER) finished seventh at 57kg last year but managed to win the European silver medal at 65kg this year. She will be hoping for a world medal as well. Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) is a two-time Asian champ at this weight class and Japan has Mitsuki OKAWA (JPN). Lasure and European champ Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW) will also be presenting their challenges.

Another of Germany's big hope is Ayla SAHIN (GER) who won the gold medal at the Europeans at 69kg. She was 10th last year at the Worlds at 65kg. But Asian champ MANISHA (IND), Mao TERAOKA (JPN), Pan-Am silver Linda MARTINEZ (MEX), Pan-Am champ Gonzales and European silver medalist Zukhra KAZULAEVA (UWW) are also in the mix.

Apart from the Kajal-Qiu match-up at 73kg, European silver medalist Greta TVERSKYTE (LTU), European champion Eylem ENGIN (TUR), a returning medalist from 57kg, returning fifth-placer Khrystyna DEMCHUK (UKR) and Pan-Am champ Poalillo will make this category worth a watch.

Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) is one of the three Asian U17 champions for Uzbekistan in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

Last year, Uzbekistan was a standout in Greco-Roman at the U17 level, winning the Asian U17 team title and finishing second at the World Championships. It continued this success at the Asian level this year, with each wrestler winning a medal, including three golds.

Uzbekistan will once again be in the team race and threaten Iran, the defending champions.

All three of its Asian champs -- Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) at 71kg, Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) at 80kg and Fakhrikamol KOMILJONOV (UZB) at 92kg -- will compete in Athens.

Iran will rely heavily on its heavyweights Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 92kg and Yazdan Reza DELROUZ (IRI) at 110kg for gold medals.

Last year's 15th-placer Hossein KAZEMI (IRI) at 71kg will be a handful for his opponents and Amirreza TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) will be the favorite at 55kg. Amir HAJIVAND (IRI) at 48kg and Amirmohammad HAJI (IRI) at 51kg will compete in the gold-medal hunt as well.

Azerbaijan is another country that is bringing a strong squad to Athens. It has three European champions and three medalists from Skopje making the trip.

While the lighter and heavier weight classes have seen Asian wrestlers do well, the middle weight classes have been dominated by European wrestlers, especially at 65kg, 71kg and 80kg.

Since the weight classes were shuffled in 2018, only three Asian wrestlers have managed to win gold medals at 65kg, 71kg and 80kg. Reza SAKI (IRI) won at 71kg in 2022 and Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) claimed gold at 80kg in 2023. In 2024, Amir SAEIDI (IRI) broke the jinx at 65kg.

Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO) is the European 65kg champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In Athens, at 65kg, European champ Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO) will lead the charge. Other key European wrestlers include silver medalist Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), bronze medalist Kyliane EDDOUH (FRA), home favorite Iason MARGARITIDIS (GRE) and many other strong competitors from the European Championships in Skopje.

Asian champion Dosbol SHAMIL (KAZ), who finished seventh at 60kg at the last World Championships, will look to break European dominance at this weight class. So will Pan Am champ Arseni KIKINIOU (USA), who is competing in Freestyle as well.

At 71kg, it can very well end up being a European champion vs Asian champion match to decide it all. Giorgi GOGELASHVILI (GEO) will look to add a world title to his European one while Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB), the Asian champion, will have a chance to upgrade his bronze medal from last year to gold.

Despite his 14th-place finish this year at the European Championships, Yusif AHMADLI (AZE) is a strong contender for gold. He finished seventh at the World Championships last year and has a silver medal in 2023 at 65kg. European silver medalist Ignat MEICO (MDA) and bronze medalist Matias ONNENLEHTO (FIN) are also entered.

European U17 champion Senik VARDANIAN (UWW) will look to add a world title to his name. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

As many as 12 European wrestlers from Skopje are entered at 80kg for Athens. Senik VARDANIAN (UWW) was the champion and will be the favorite to win gold in Athens. He is joined by silver medalist Benediktas BUBELEVICIUS (LTU) and bronze medalists Nijat YEYLAGALIYEV (AZE) and Ismail BEREKET (TUR).

Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB), the Asian champ, and Pan-Am champion Isai FERNANDEZ (USA) have a big task ahead of them to capture the gold medal.

An interesting entry at 92kg is Said PASHAYEV (AZE), the European Freestyle champ, who will also compete in Greco-Roman. He finished 16th in Skopje. He may not be the favorite but has a chance to trouble the likes of European champion Vadim DRAGUSHAN (UWW) and Asian champion Fakhrikamol KOMILJONOV (UZB), who also is a returning bronze medalist.

Filling the line-up are Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI), Asian silver medalist Adilet TOISHY (KAZ), European silver medalist Tymur LARIN (UKR) and Kanstantsin KASYAN (UWW), who will be the dark horse at this weight class. The hosts Greece will bank on European bronze medalist Ioannis MOUTOUSIDIS (GRE) to win a medal at home.

Iran has been denied the 110kg gold since 2019 but it hopes that Yazdan Reza DELROUZ (IRI) will bring it back. Although, it won't be easy. The field includes European champion Rihad IBRAHIMLI (AZE) and silver medalist Denis LAZAROV (BUL). Asian champion HARDEEP (IND) may trouble the Iranian and so can Emrullah CAPKAN (TUR), who finished fifth last year.

European silver medalist Ali NAZAROV (AZE) will be the favorite at 60kg as he dominated the European field barring the final. His biggest challenge can come from Asian champ Damir AKAN (KAZ) in an otherwise weak weight class.

At 45kg, Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE) is the European champ and he has a good chance to win the world title as well. But the lowest weight class always has a surprise in store. Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO) will look to avenge his European final's loss to Huseynli while Ararat AVETISYAN (ARM), European bronze medalist, is also entered. But can Kuanyshbek ZHANGAZHOL (KAZ), the Asian champion, spoil their party?

Another Asian champion from Kazakhstan, Nurdaulet KUMARULY (KAZ), will be challenging the 48kg field that includes European champion Stanislav IVANOV (BUL), silver medalist Martin MANJIKYAN (ARM), and bronze medalist Gurban MAJNUNOV (AZE).

Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM), left, and Aslanbek KOSTOEV (UWW) are likely to face each other at 51kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Armenia's gold at the World Championships can come from Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM), who won the European Championships gold medal at 51kg and a world silver medal at 45kg last year. He will also have a chance to avenge his 2024 Worlds final's loss to Aslanbek KOSTOEV (UWW), who is also entered at 51kg.

The 55kg category is again dominated with European entries including champion Danil LOZHKIN (UWW) and silver medalist Giorgi CHACHUA (GEO). Asian Championships finalists are also entered with champion Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) and silver medalist Sadriddin TULKINBOEV (UZB).

Kayaalp, Maskevich Dominate Through Finals; Russia Wins WW Title

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U17 World Wrestling Championships 2025 Preview