#Trnava2018

Steveson Still Improving After Three World Titles

Friday, September 21, 2018 - 09:32 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 21) - It’s hard to believe that Gable STEVESON (USA) is still improving after winning three world titles, but he stood outside Trnava’s City Sports Hall and said it’s possible. 

“I’m stronger, quicker and my endurance is better than ever, but I’m still growing," said Steveson. “I look at myself as the second-place guy, and that’s how I’m approaching every practice. Even though I’ve reached the top, I still train like I’m behind somebody.” 

With two years of junior eligibility left, Steveson’s comes to Slovakia chasing his fourth age-level world title. 

No doubt that he enters the 2018 Junior World Championships with a target on his back and he knows it. “I love having the target on my back. A lot of people have tried to hit the target, but as of right now, everyone has missed.” 

Gable STEVESON (USA) carries the American flag after winning the 2017 junior world title. (Photo by Marion Stein) 

The 18-year-old will wrestle Saturday, with the potential to wrestle in Sunday night's 125kg gold-medal bout, in what may be his last age-level match ever. 

“I’m shooting for six (world titles), but with Tokyo 2020 right around the corner, I plan on bumping up to the senior-level next year and making USA's world team,” said Steveson. "I’m always looking ahead, and looking ahead means the 2020 Olympic Games. That’s a big goal for me, an Olympic gold." 

Ending, on Wednesday night, Steveson stood behind the entry tunnel and watched Russia’s Aleksanr KOMAROV win his fourth age-level world title. But that didn’t change Steveson’s mind as to who's the most dominant age-level wrestler in the world. When asked his thoughts regarding who holds the No. 1 spot for world dominance, Steveson’s gave a one-word answer, “Me.” 

#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."