#WrestleOslo

#TBT: Sadulaev and Snyder Square off in #WrestleTokyo 97kg Olympic Finals

Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 00:53 By Eric Olanowski

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Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) collided in Tokyo with 97kg Olympic gold on the line. It was the third time the pair of Rio Olympic champions clashed. ‘The Russian Tank’ fell in their first meeting but won two straight matches and gained the 2-1 series advantage after securing a 6-3 finals win.

Sadulaev, the now-two-time Olympic champ and Snyder are seeded first and second, respectively, at 97kg for the #WrestleOslo World Championships (October 2-10). They'll meet for a fourth time if they stay undefeated until the finals.

#WrestleOslo ➡️ 16 Days.

#BeachWrestling

Sakurai swaps mat for sand, wins Beach Wrestling gold

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 09:01 By Vinay Siwach

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TOKYO (May 13) -- Paris Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) made a return to competition for the first time since August last year. However, it was not on the mat.

Sakurai, who won gold medal at 57kg in Paris, returned to compete in beach wrestling. She wrestled at the Japan Beach Wrestling National Team Qualifying Tournament held in Tachikawa, Tokyo on Sunday and won gold at 60kg

"It may sound strange for me to say it, but I felt that I was suited to it," Sakurai was quoted by Japan Olympic Committee.

Sakurai, who is not entered for the June 19-22 Meiji Cup, Japan's qualifying tournament for the World Championships in September, is now qualified to compete for Japan in Beach Wrestling this year.

"Since I am qualified for the international tournament, I will try to participate," she said. "I want to be number one. I'll practice on the sandy beaches of Kochi [Prefecture]."

The three-time world champion, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the mat soon.

"I am still practicing on the mat and when I feel like I am ready, I will be back on the mat," she said.