2026 U17 World Championships

U17 World Championships 2026 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Results & Highlights

Thursday, July 30, 2026 - 06:45 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 30) -- The U17 World Wrestling Championships will see Women's Wrestling in 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg and 69kg. Here are the storylines for Women's Wrestling.

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The semifinals will begin at 17:00 hours local time

13:45: Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) with a second fall of the day to enter the semifinal at 69kg. She gets the pin over Sophia ANASTASE (ROU) and is now two wins away from history.

13:35: Wrestlers from neither Tunisia nor Colombia had ever wrestled for a medal at the U17 World Championships. With Rahma REZGUI (TUN) and Alejandra SERRANO (COL) in the 53kg quarterfinals, that was about to change. For most of the bout, it seemed that Rezgui will go to the semifinal as she had a comfortable 6-0 lead. But Serrano with the turnaround in the second period against a tiring Rezgui and she win 7-6 with points in the final five seconds!

13:31: Marlee SOLOMON (USA) with a fall over Fatima BAYRAMOVA (AZE) at 53kg! The match was in balance at the break with Solomon leading only 2-1 but she changed the approach in the second period, leading 8-1 before getting the fall

13:29: Graciela ENINGO (ESP) with a surprise win over Waka AWANO (JPN) at 69kg and that too with a fall. Eningo was leading 3-1 when Awano hit a four-pointer but Eningo recovered and put Awano in danger with a headlock. The fall was called with 15 seconds left.

13:24: Aruzhan BAKYTNUR (KAZ) ends Mariama KABA (GUI) dream run at 61kg. Kaba reached the quarterfinals but could not get past Bakytnur who won 6-2.

13:22: Zaytuna SAPAROVA (UZB) was leading Sophia VALDEZ (USA) 2-2 and she tried to spin behind and tried to fling Valdez who landed on top of Saparova and got the fall.    

13:20: Azerbaijan was close to getting its first semifinalist as Gulkhanim SHIRINOVA (AZE) was leading 4-2 in the 40kg match against Tasmin ATHIMNI (TUN). But the Tunisia wrestler hits a bog throw and then gets the fall over Shirinova who has been reduced to tears.

13:15: Natsumi SASAKI (JPN) with her quick low single attacks to unsettle Rohini DEVBA (IND) who had no gameplan against Sasaki who wins the 40kg bout, 10-0.

13:14: Sandhya VISHNOI (IND) counters everything that Alina BARANOVA (RUS) threw at her in the 46kg quarterfinals. She wins the bout 10-0 and advances to the semifinals.

13:08: Kamila TEMIRAEVA (RUS) threw Landri VON GONTEN (USA) for four points and lead 4-2 at the break in their 61kg bout. She then scored a takedown to extend her lead to 6-2. But as the time ticked, Von Gonten scored a four-pointer to take a 6-6 criteria lead and win the bout. After a long challenge, the result does not change but Von Gonton gets two points for the late go-behind, making her an 8-6 winner.

13:02: Madison HEALEY (USA) a counter lift for exposure and two points against Kokona MAKINO (JPN) but that was all Makino allowed her. Makino brought out those low singles and completed an 8-2 win over Healey at 46kg.

12:47: Hibiki IIDA (JPN) needed to defend only for six more seconds as Khuslen MUNKHBAYASGALAN (MGL) was trying to pin for over a minute. But Munkhbayasgalan put so much pressure that Iida could not defend and gave up the fall with 2:06 left.  

12:33: Two-time U17 world champion Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) opens her campaign and a historic chase of third gold with a fall over TANIYA (IND). A very quick fall for the American which has left Taniya in shock.

12:22: Returning bronze medalist Mariia ZHYTOVOZ (HUN) is left in shock after Marlee SOLOMON (USA) beats her 5-4 at 53kg in the final 2 seconds. Zhytovoz took a 4-0 but Solomon scored a takedown in the second period to cut the lead to 4-2. Zhytovoz was backing away in the final 10 seconds when Solomon scored a front exposure for two points and take the 4-4 criteria win. Zhytovoz challenged the call but there was change in the result, only a point was added to Solomon's score for lost challenge.

12:20: Mariama KABA (GUI), the first-ever U17 wrestler from Guinea, is now into the 61kg quarterfinals after a 12-2 win over Marharyta OVCHARENKO (ISR).

12:10: Landri VON GONTEN (USA) with another dominant win. She beats Marisa ITURRINO (PUR) at 61kg and advances to the quarterfinals.

12:05: Alejandra SERRANO (COL), hoping to becoming Colombia's first world medalist in Women's Wrestling at U17 level, gets a fall over Nomin SHINEBAYAR (MGL) at 61kg. Serrano with a powerful takedown and keep Shinebayar on the mat till the fall is called.

11:53: Much better day for Japan so far. Kokona MAKINO (JPN) gut wrenches Mungunchimeg GAVAA (MGL) to win her 46kg bout, 10-0. At 61kg, Waka AWANO (JPN) (EST) wins 12-1 against Karol TAMSON (EST).

11:45: U17 European champion at 46kg Alina BARANOVA (RUS) outclasses Kateryna HOZHELOVA (UKR), 10-0, in her opening bout. Baranov's gut-wrench completely unsettled Hozhelova

11:35: Rion OGAWA (JPN) starts her 53kg campaign with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Ecrin SALIK (TUR). Ogawa is younger sister of Rinka, a U20 and U17 world champion

11:20 Mariia ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), the returning bronze medalist at 53kg, starts with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Zuzanna SOKOLOWSKA (POL). The Hungary wrestler used the gut-wrench to score her points.

11:15: Landri VON GONTEN (USA) and AVANSHIKA (IND) were going toe-to-toe before Von Gonten got an armbar and pinned Avanshika to advance at 61kg.

11:05: Waka AWANO (JPN) was no where in the bout against Yuliia HOLHOVSKA (UKR) at 61kg. But in the second period, she managed to take a 4-4 criteria lead. Holhovska lost her balance and Awano scored a go-behind for a 6-4 lead. She transitioned into a lace and won the bout 14-4.

10:30: The repechage bouts will kick off the day with at least three matches on each mat. The qualification rounds begins after.

#WrestleTirana

European Championships 2026 Women's Wrestling Preview

Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 15:12 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 16) -- Six 2025 champions will look to defend their gold medal in Women's Wrestling at the European Championships starting next week. But the tournament will also see a return of a few veteran stars in Tirana.

Among the returning champions will be Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), who ended a 24-year wait for Greece to have European champion in Women's Wrestling, now going for her second title at 53kg.

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Just as is the case globally, there’s no shortage of depth in the 53kg weight class in Europe and a number of wrestlers can upset the Greek wrestler.

Two former champions, Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) and Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (UWW), are returning to the continental championships for the first time since 2024. The two met in the final at the 2024 edition with the latter winning the gold medal.

Tirana will also mark the return of prodigious talent Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), a former U17 world and U20 European champion. She will be among the many Ukrainians favorites to win gold in their respective categories.

Apart from the four, Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), Gerda TEREK (HUN) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) are also in contention to finish on the podium.

Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), right, will look to defend her 76kg title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Strong Ukraine Squad
Ukraine have won the women’s team title in each of the last three editions and are set to defend it, thanks to a strong squad heading to Tirana. Oksana LIVACH (UKR) at 50kg and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg will look to repeat as champions while U20 world champion Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) will make her senior debut at 72kg.

Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) at 57kg and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) at 59kg have good chances to finish on the top of the podium as well.

Livach will be the favorite at 50kg despite the likes of returning silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR), U23 European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), returning bronze medalist Natallia VARAKINA (UWW) and rising star Svenja JUNGO (SUI).

Alpyeyeva stunned the wrestling world by winning the 76kg gold medal last year by beating Yasemin ADAR (TUR) in the final. While both bronze medalists from 2025, Martina KUENZ (AUT) and Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (UWW) are returning, it’s U23 world silver medalist Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) who likely to be the biggest challenger to Alpyeyeva.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is hoping to return to the top of the podium at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time Olympic medalist and former European champion Koliadenko will lead the charge at 65kg. After being denied last year by Irina RINGACI (MDA) in the semifinals, Koliadenko will be looking to bounce back and add to her previous three European gold medals.

While the absence of Ringaci and last year's champion Grace BULLEN (NOR), who has moved to 62kg should make things easier, Koliadenko still has some tricky opponents in Tirana. World silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) should be the biggest challenger for Koliadenko.

Greco-trained Sokolovska, who won the U20 world title at 76kg, will be at 72kg replacing European and world champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) this year. In a stacked weight class, she will be challenged by Olympic medalist and former European champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), who moved down to 68kg last year and finished with a bronze medal. But she is back to 72kg, switching spots with Nesrin BAS (TUR), 2025 silver at 72kg, who is now at 68kg.

U23 European champion Viktoryia RADZKOVA (UWW) will be another tough competitor for Sokolovska along with world medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL).

Nesrin BAS (TUR)Nesrin BAS (TUR) will present her challenge at 68kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Bas' Golden Chance 
Bas at 68kg will be keen on claiming the top position in European after falling short at the continental and world level last year. She lost finals at 72kg at both the competitions in 2025.

Bas, a three-time U23 world champion, will face returning champion Alina SHAUCHUK (UWW) who recently won the U23 European gold. Shauchuk has been rising quickly through the ranks and she defeated Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) in the final last year to stun the Bratislava crowd. 

Shauchuk should be ready for a tougher outing as Bas brings more skill set and Zelenykh will be keen on revenge. Former U23 European champion Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will be the dark horse.

Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW)Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) is the defending champion at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Verbina Eyes Second Straight Gold
Defending champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW), also a world silver medalist, could have had a smooth sailing to the gold medal but the entry of former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) just added to the challenge of defending the title. While these two go in as favorites, keep an eye out for Tuba DEMIR (TUR) who has the potential to go deep into this bracket as well.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) is eyeing her fifth European gold medal in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bullen Favorite at 62kg
Grace BULLEN (NOR) spent most of 2025, a year after the Olympics, at 65kg in which she also won gold at the European Championships. But the four-time champion is returning to 62kg and will be the favorite at the weight class to win her fifth title to go with her two silver medals.

Bullen defeated Ringaci in a memorable final last year, but she should have less trouble winning gold this year. U23 European champion Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) should be her biggest threat along with former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), and former U23 world and European champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN).

Returning silver medalist Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), who has notched up a series of good results recently, will also be looking to return to the final and challenge Bullen.

With defending champion at 57kg Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) giving the European Championships a miss, returning silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) has the chance to improve the color of her medal. Among other contenders are returning bronze medalists Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Solomiia VYNYYK (UKR). Former U20 European champion and U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will also be looking to at least finish on the podium for Norway.

Another returning silver medalist from Turkiye hoping to upgrade her medal is Bediha GUN (TUR), who lost to Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) last year in the final at 59kg.

Sidelnikova’s absence will make things only slightly easier for Gun in Tirana but world silver medalist Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) is expected to pose a serious threat as she chases her first-ever European medal.

Finalists from February’s U23 European Championships, Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) and Marta HETMANAVA (UWW) are also entered and it won’t be a shock if the two make the final. Svetlana LIPATOVA (UWW), silver medalist at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February, will be among the contenders as well.