2026 U17 World Championships

Tovar Ends Colombia's 43-Year Wait for U17 World Gold

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 - 09:00 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 1) -- "When you fall down, you got to keep going, come back up, can’t just let it bring you down."

Jovanni TOVAR (COL) said after falling short winning a medal at the 2025 U17 World Championships in Athens. He finished fifth.

WATCH: Jovanni Tovar Ends Colombia's 43-Year Wait for Gold

With lesson from Athens and a year of work behind him, Tovar came back to the U17 Worlds in 2026 and won a historic gold medal for Colombia, the country's first in 43 years. Luis PALOMINO (COL) had won the 62kg gold at the 1983 edition of the tournament.

Tovar lost in the quarterfinals and then in the bronze medal bout in 2025. But a year later, he dominated his way to gold, outscoring his opponents 37-1 in five bouts including a fall and two technical superiority wins.

Wrestling Jovanni TOVAR (COL)Jovanni TOVAR (COL) celebrates after winning the 55kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the final, Tovar faced Jakhongir TULKUNOV (UZB), who had finished eighth at the 2025 U17 World Championships. Tovar set up the first takedown using a long shot deep on Tulkulnov's leg during the Uzbekistan wrestler's activity clock.

Tulkunov, who had very open stance leaving a wide gap to attack his legs, kept trying to get his collar ties but Tovar never allowed him. Tovar hit an attack on the legs and converted it into a takedown before using an arm-bar to pin the Uzbekistan wrestler. However, time ran out for the break and Tovar led 7-0.

Tovar would see an opening 30 seconds into the second period and hit a double-leg attack and rolled through for a four-pointer which gave the technical superiority win with 1:18 left in the match.

Tovar's Results in U17 Wrestling World Championships 2026

Final: df. Jakhongir TULKUNOV (UZB), 11-0
Semifinal: df. Chase KARENBAUER (USA), 10-0
Quarterfinal: df. Prathmesh PATIL (IND), 2-1
Pre-Quarterfinals: Khusel Erdene PUREVBAATAR (MGL), via fall (8-0)
Qualification: Yusuf KOCAK (TUR), 6-0

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UWW President Lalovic Meets Azerbaijan President Aliyev in Baku

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 05:14 By United World Wrestling Press

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 29) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIYEV on Wednesday. Baku is hosting the U17 World Championships from July 27 to August 2.

Lalovic and Aliyev discussed the success of wrestling and Lalovic emphasized that the U17 World Championship was organized at a high level. He also expressed his gratitude to Aliyev for his support and for the activities of UWW.

Azerbaijan has been one of the most successful wrestling countries and it continues to develop and hosts various events. Lalovic mentioned that UWW has had successful cooperation with the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation for organizing wrestling events.

Wrestling Nenad LALOVICNenad LALOVIC, left, with Azerbaijan President Ilham ALIYEV.

Aliyev mentioned the importance of the U17 World Championship held in Baku for the future success of young wrestlers, and noted the importance of organizing such sporting events in our country in the future.

Azerbaijan is hosting the U17 Worlds after 14 years and the 2026 edition has already created history with 675 participants, the most ever. 

During the meeting, both noted that wrestling has rich traditions in Azerbaijan, and touched upon the work being done at the state level for its development.

An exchange of views was held on issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UWW.

The participants of the tournament praised the arrangements in Baku and gave positive reviews of the same.

Armenia's head coach Gagik KHACHATRYAN told the team that his team's experience in Baku had been positive.

"I've been a coach for many years, and nowhere have we been welcomed the way we have here," he said. "My impression of Baku is very positive. The organisation is at a very high level. Everything is well coordinated - the competitions, the logistics, the overall workflow," he said.

 

He also praised the spectators for their sportsmanship and positive attitude.

"Everyone treated us very warmly. Nobody showed any negative attitude," he said. "The fans supported fair competition and clean sport."