#WrestleNoviSad

U23 Worlds: Fujinami ready for first international test at 57kg

Friday, October 10, 2025 - 10:32 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO, Japan (October 9) -- She already has an Olympic gold and two senior world titles, not to mention a 141-match winning streak that dates back to her junior high school days. And there is that undefeated record against non-Japanese opponents.

So what has compelled Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) to even bother entering the U23 World Championships, a tournament that, on paper at least, she should have no problem winning?

Rest assured there is method to what she would not regard as madness. It is all part of a grand plan, centered on the 21-year-old's much-publicized move from 53kg directly up to the next Olympic weight of 57kg with eyes firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"This will by my first world tournament since I moved up in weight class," Fujinami said in an interview via social media. "I want to try out what I have been practicing, and get an idea of where I stand in terms of my current ability. I also want to identify areas to work on ahead of the All-Japan Championships in December."

Fujinami tops the marquee as she makes her debut at the U23 World Championships, to be held October 20-27 in Novi Sad, Serbia. Currently in her senior year at Nippon Sports Science University, it will be just her third competition since she cruised to the 53kg gold at the Paris Olympics, where she won all four matches by either fall or technical superiority.

The two other outings -- one a collegiate team event in November 2024 and the other the Japan Queen's Cup in April at which she qualified for the U23 Worlds -- did not provide much of a workout. She won a total of four matches in a combined time of 7:11 without giving up a point.

Fujinami expressed no concerns about her extended absence from top-level competition. "This will be my first tournament in six months," she said. "I'm not worried about regaining my match feeling. For the Olympics, I had about a seven-month blank."

Fujinami had at first planned to try for the senior worlds, but decided she would not be ready as she makes the physical adjustment to 57kg. So will we see a bulked-up Fujinami in Novi Sad?

"Compared with the time when I was in the 53kg class, my natural weight is more than then," Fujinami said. "I am also going to have cut weight before the tournament at 57kg. I'm also working hard on weight training, and I'll try to show the effects of that in the matches."

Despite her exalted status, Fujinami knows not to take any opponent lightly – a lesson she learned fully well when she won her second senior world title in 2023. In the quarterfinals, she was stunned when Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) tagged her for five points early in the match and seven overall, marking the most points ever scored upon her by a non-Japanese.

Although Fujinami came back to take the lead and win by fall, it showed any lapse can lead to disaster – which, ironically, makes the sport more appealing for her.

“You never know what will happen in a match,” Fujinami said. “But I think that’s what makes it interesting. For me, a match is like a presentation of yourself, so I will go into it aiming to win while having fun.”

In Novi Sad, Fujinami may have to share some of the spotlight with compatriot, fellow Paris Olympic gold medalist and recently crowned senior world champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN).

A victory by Motoki at 62kg would make her the third member of the “Golden Grand Slam” club -- those who have combined an Olympic gold with titles on the senior and all three age-group levels. The two current members are Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA).

Ironically, circumstances beyond her control worked against Fujinami ever having a chance to also gain entry into the club.

A world U17 champion in 2018, she was deprived twice of chances to win a U20 world title – first in 2021 when Japan opted to not send a team during the pandemic, and again in 2022 when an injury forced her to withdraw. Those same years she qualified for the U23 worlds, but missed out for the same reasons.

This time, her preparations have gone without a hitch. "I've been able to continue to train and practice without any major injuries," she said.

Prior to securing a second Olympic gold in Los Angeles, Fujinami has a more immediate goal — winning her first at the Asian Games, to be held next October in Nagoya / Aichi Prefecture, which borders her native Mie Prefecture. Because of the early deadline for entries, she needs a victory at the All-Japan Championships in December to make the Japanese squad.

“My goals are to win gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya and at the Los Angeles Olympics,” she said. “To achieve those goals, I’ve dedicated myself to strengthening myself during this period. It’s been a time for me to look inside myself and explore my wrestling. Now the time has come to show the results.”

2026 U17 World Championships

Women's Wrestling Watch at U17 World Championships 2026

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - 13:22 By Vinay Siwach

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Wrestling Taina FERNANDEZ (USA)

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 28) -- Wrestlers at the U17 World Championships will breathe a sigh of relief. China, Asia's top team at this level, will not compete in the tournament in Baku.

With China absent, Japan, India and the United States emerge as the leading contenders for the team title. India won the championship last year, with the U.S. finishing second and Japan third.

Despite China's absence, the wrestling in Baku promises to be top-notch. From individual milestones to the battle for the team title, there will be no shortage of compelling storylines.

Fernandez Chases Third Gold

Among the biggest storylines is Taina FERNANDEZ (USA), a two-time U17 world champion at 61kg. Now competing at 69kg, Fernandez is chasing a third U17 world title. A gold medal would make history, as she would become the first non-Japanese wrestler to win three U17 world championships.

Only four wrestlers have won three U17 world titles, all of them Japanese women: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) [2011, 2012, 2013], Kika KAGATA (JPN) [2012, 2013, 2014], Yui SUSAKI (JPN) [2014, 2015, 2016] and Honoka NAKAI (JPN) [2017, 2018, 2019].

Fernandez, yet to lose an international bout, faces a stern test after moving up eight kilograms to 69kg. Her opening opponent is U17 Asian silver medalist TANIYA (IND). Hopefully, the commentators don't confuse Taina and Taniya.

The bracket also features U17 European champion Kiymet TEZCAN (TUR), bronze medalists Nino SAMKHARADZE (GEO) and Polina EFIMOVA (RUS), as well as Hibiki IIDA (JPN), because counting out a Japanese wrestler has rarely ended well.

Wrestling Solomiia PETRIV (UKR)U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), red, at 73kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Battle of 73kg

The 73kg weight class was introduced in 2018, when Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) claimed the inaugural title. That remains the last time Japan won the heaviest women's weight class. Since then, India has captured three gold medals, while China, the United States and Russia have won one each.

The race for the 73kg title in Baku is wide open with China absent. India is banking on U17 Asian champion GARIMA (IND), who will need to elevate her performance from the continental championships if she hopes to claim the world title that KAJAL (IND) narrowly missed after finishing runner-up last year.

U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), who won bronze at 69kg last year, enters as one of the favorites. Potential rematches from the U17 European Championships loom, with silver medalist Bianka BARANY (HUN) and bronze medalists Karina MUZALEVSKAIA (RUS) and Lyra LEDERER (GER) also in the field.

U17 Asian silver medalist Namuuntsetseg BATBOLD (MGL) brings Mongolia's trademark throwing attack, while Kaili MANUEL (USA) could emerge as the dark horse.

Wrestling Janka SILLEI (HUN)U17 European champion Janka SILLEI (HUN), left, is one of the favorites at 57kg in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Stars Clash at 57kg

The deepest weight class appears to be 57kg, featuring several established names moving into the division.

Returning world silver medalists Janka SILLEI (HUN), who won silver at 46kg, and Epenesa ELISON (USA), last year's runner-up at 53kg, land on the same side of the bracket.

After moving up just one weight class, Elison has the tools to reach the final, but she opens against Rion SUZUKI (JPN), a difficult first-round opponent. Sillei, meanwhile, dominated the U17 European Championships at 57kg, outscoring every opponent.

Also in the field are U17 European silver medalist Mariia POLTORAK (UKR), bronze medalist Marharyta DANILEVICH (BLR) and U17 Pan-American silver medalist Gurleen DHILLON (CAN).

Despite lacking international medals, Suzuki, Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND) and Sofiia BELOVA (RUS) should not be overlooked.

Wrestling IndiaIndia won the Women's Wrestling team title at the 2025 U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Team Title Race

Japan brings a formidable lineup that can make a run for the team gold. This is despite the country's inter-high school championships coincide with the U17 World Championships, forcing several wrestlers to prioritize the domestic event and leaving Japan short of full strength.

The U.S. squad is headlined by Fernandez but also includes two returning world medalists and three U17 Pan-American champions. Elison will look to improve on last year's silver medal, while returning bronze medalist Madison HEALEY (USA) competes at 46kg.

The U17 Pan-American champions on the U.S. roster are Sophia VALDEZ (USA) at 40kg, Landri VON GONTEN (USA) at 61kg and Eve SKROCKI (USA) at 69kg.

Last year, it fell just four points short of India, which claimed its second U17 Women's Wrestling team title. This year's Indian squad, however, does not appear to have the same depth as last year's championship-winning team, making the race more open.

With Russia and Belarus eligible to score team points, and Ukraine also fielding a strong squad, the race for the team title promises to be considerably more competitive than it was a year ago.