#Yariguin2019

Three "Must Watch" Day Two Matches at the Ivan Yariguin

By Eric Olanowski

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 24) - The brackets for the second day of freestyle and women's wrestling at the Ivan Yariguin have been released and here are three potential matches that you can't afford to miss. 

1. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) vs. Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS)

This 65kg semifinals match is a long-shot and would require several pieces to fall perfectly into place, but if they do, the matchup between two-time world bronze medalist, Akhmed Chakaev and two-time world runner-up Gadzhimurad Rashidov will be a high-flying electric showdown. 

Here’s the scenario that would give wrestling fans this matchup: 

  1. Rashidov wins the special wrestle-in against Alan's champion Kurban SHIRAEV (RUS). 
  2. Rashidov beats the United States’ 2017 65kg world team representative Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the quarterfinals.
  3. Chakaev wins his quarterfinals matchup against Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB). 

2. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) vs. Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUES (CUB) 

This 68kg qualification match between four-time age-level world champion Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) and 2018 U23 world champion Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUES (CUB) is a quarterfinals rematch of the 2018 Bucharest U23 World Championships, where the Cuban wrestler topped the Russian, 5-0. 

Sanchez Rodrigues’ 5-0 quarterfinal win over Velieva, who was named United World Wrestling’s 2018 Female Junior Wrestler of the Year, helped catapult her to the top of the world podium and played a pivotal role in her becoming the first Cuban woman to win a world title in any age group.


Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) will wrestle Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) in a battle of previous world finalists. (Photo: Sachiko HOTAKA) 

3. Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) vs. Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)

This 53kg qualification bout features the pair of previous world silver medalists, Sarah Hildebrandt and Ergenechimeg Sumiya. 

Sarah Hildebrandt is the reigning world runner-up at this 53kg, while Erdenechimeg, a four-time top-10 finisher at the world championships, is a 2013 world runner-up at 51kg. 

This is the first time these world finalists have met in their storied careers. 

Batumi to host 2027 U23 Euros; 2026 Pan-Am calendar updated

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 29) -- United World Wrestling has announced updates for its events calendar for both 2026 and 2027.

For 2027, Batumi, Georgia will host the U23 European Championships from March 8 to 14. With this, Georgia, a top wrestling country, marks a return to the UWW's events calendar after six years having hosted the 2019 Veteran World Championships.

The 2026 U15 Pan-American Championships were awarded to Mexico City, Mexico and the tournament will be from July 23 to 25. The U15 Pan-American Beach Wrestling Championships will also be conducted in Mexico City. The same will be held on July 26.

UWW also decided to shift the 2026 U23 Pan-American Championships to Lima, Peru from Caracas, Venezuela. The competition will be held June 11-13 in the Peruvian capital with competition being held over three days, with medal bouts of respective styles to be completed on the same day.

The Senior Beach Wrestling Pan-American Championships will also be held in Lima, Peru on June 14.

Updated 2026 Pan-American Championships calendar:

- U17 Pam-American Championships, April 2-4 (Panama City, Panama)
- Senior Pan-American Championships, May 7-10 (Coralville, United States)
- U23 Pan-American Championships, June 11-13 (Lima, Peru)
- U20 Pan-American Championships, July 9-11 (Niteroi, Brazil)
- U15 Pan-American Championships, July 23-25 (Mexico City, Mexico)

Updated 2026 Pan-Am Beach Wrestling Championships Calendar:

- U17 Beach Wrestling Pan-American Championships, April 5, (Panama City, Panama)
- Senior Beach Wrestling Pan-American Championships, June 14 (Lima, Peru)
- U20 Beach Wrestling Pan-American Championships, July 12 (Niteroi, Brazil)
- U15 Beach Wrestling Pan-American Championships, July 26 (Mexico City, Mexico)

UWW remains at the disposal of all National Federations for any query. For all events, refer to uww.org/events.