#WrestleSofia

Nakai wins third Cadet World title, Ozaki and Sakurai claim second gold at #WrestleSofia

By Taylor Miller

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Honoka NAKAI (JPN), Nonoka OKAZI (JPN) and Hanano SAKURAI (JPN) repeated as World champions on Friday night to help Japan to the team title at the 2019 Cadet World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Nakai won her third-consecutive World title, winning the 69 kg bracket. A tough match for gold, Nakai outlasted 2019 Cadet Asian bronze medalist Cun LIU (CHN) with a 3-0 decision to cap off the night for Japan.

Her teammate Ozaki, also a 2018 Youth Olympic Games champion, wrapped up her second Cadet World title in just >>> seconds, defeating 2019 Cadet European champion Yulia LESKOVETS (UKR), 10-0.

Winning her second Cadet World title and first since 2017 was Sakurai, who edged out Xueing LIANG (CHN), 6-4, in the gold-medal match at 46 kg.

Overall, Japan claimed six World champions and won the team title with 195 points. China finished second with 127 points and also earned a World champion on Friday.

Zhaojing SHI (CHN), a 2018 Cadet World bronze medalist, topped the podium at 53 kg with a dominating performance over 2018 fifth-place finisher Kalmira BILIMBEK (KGZ).

Shi came out and ended the match in 37 seconds, recording a pin.

The other World champion came at 40 kg as Komal KOMAL (IND) mounted a comeback over 2018 Cadet World bronze medalist Sterling DIAS (USA) for the crown.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Komal, a 2018 Cadet Asian runner-up, tallied two second-period takedowns for a 4-4 win on criteria.

USA finished third in the team race with 106 points. Rounding out the top-five was Russia in fourth and India in fifth.

Finals matchups
40 kg
GOLD: Komal KOMAL (IND) dec. Sterling DIAS (USA), 4-4
BRONZE: Mushtariy TOLIPBEKOVA (UZB) dec. Alina KURYLENKA (BLR), 4-2
BRONZE: Miu OBATA (JPN) df. Michela CHESSA (ITA), 10-0

46 kg
GOLD: Hanano SAKURAI (JPN) dec. Xueing LIANG (CHN), 6-4
BRONZE: Kumari HANNY (IND) df. Adriana HERNANDEZ SANCHEZ (USA), forfeit
BRONZE: Sitora TOLIPBEKOVA (UZB) df. Serena Rosa DI BENEDETTO (CAN), 11-0

53 kg
GOLD: Zhaojing SHI (CHN) df. Kalmira BILIMBEK (KGZ), fall 0:37
BRONZE: Seira NEMOTO (JPN) dec. Polina LUKINA (RUS), 4-3
BRONZE: Alesia HETMANAVA (BLR) dec. Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), 6-1

61 kg
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Yulia LESKOVETS (UKR), 10-0
BRONZE: Eva FORSBERG (SWE) dec. Bhagyashree FAND (IND), 5-0
BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB), fall 0:58

69 kg
GOLD: Honoka NAKAI (JPN) dec. Cun LIU (CHN), 3-0
BRONZE: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN), 10-0
BRONZE: Alina MAKSIMAVA (BLR) dec. Anastasia KOZLOVA (RUS), 3-1

Team rankings
1. Japan – 195
2. China – 127
3. USA – 106
4. Russia – 101
5. India – 95
6. Uzbekistan – 71
7. Belarus – 70
8. Ukraine – 66
9. Kyrgyzstan – 44
10. Turkey - 43

 

UWW's Event Organization Workshop heats up in Athens

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (July 30) -- United World Wrestling held a new edition of its Event Organization Workshop in Athens, Greece, from July 24-29.

The activity was conducted by the UWW Sports Department and took place on the sidelines of the U17 World Championships, offering participants an immersive experience to learn directly within the context of a major international event.

A total of 25 participants from 16 countries attended the workshop -- with nearly 50 percent of the attendees being women -- representing national federations and upcoming event organizers.

The attendees took part in theoretical sessions and field-based learning covering critical areas such as accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics. They also had the chance to observe the live execution of the Championships, attend the Technical Conference, and tour key competition areas.

The Local Organizing Committee played an important role in supporting the delivery of the workshop, facilitating access to venues, providing logistical coordination, and sharing their experience in hosting a major international event. Their collaboration was key to ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all participants.

To complement the technical content, the group also enjoyed a cultural visit to the Acropolis, one of the most iconic landmarks in Athens. This excursion helped foster exchange and camaraderie among participants, while providing a connection to the host city’s rich heritage.

UWW
Attendees walk through accreditation, sport presentation, information technology tools, event operations, and venue logistics at the Event Organization Workshop in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The workshop was facilitated by members of the UWW team, who shared their expertise and provided hands-on guidance throughout the sessions. The collaborative format encouraged knowledge exchange and open dialogue, creating a dynamic learning environment.

Participants expressed high satisfaction with the content and format of the workshop, noting its relevance and practicality. The mix of classroom instruction, real-event exposure, and networking opportunities made the experience both educational and inspiring.

This edition of the Event Organization Workshop reinforced UWW’s commitment to building local capacities and delivering high-standard wrestling events across the world. Athens 2025 once again proved the value of this initiative and the importance of continuing to invest in professional training for sport event delivery.

Ramil AHMADOV, UWW Senior Competition Manager, and Yuri MAIER, Sports & Development Officer, conducted the workshop. We were honored to have Theodoros HAMAKOS, Vice-President of UWW, award the certificates.