#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Almat Kebispayev (KAZ), Four-Time World Medalist

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - 17:26 By United World Wrestling Press

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Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) has won four world medals in Greco-Roman wrestling since 2010. Last year, Kebispayev claimed a bronze medal at 61kg in his home country of Kazakhstan at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan. Kebispayev has also won four medals at the Asian Championships, including gold medals in 2011 and 2018. He was a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Games.

Kebispayev joined Eric Olanowski to talk about winning a world medal in his home country, joining his Kazakh teammates for their first training camp since the pandemic hit, and made the announcement that he's moving up to 67kg for a run at a third Olympic appearance.
 

#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.