#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Argentina's Tokyo Olympian Agustin Destribats

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 21:54 By United World Wrestling Press

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Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) earned his spot in the Tokyo Olympic Games when he won by fall over Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the semifinals of the Pan American Games Olympic Qualifier. The 65kg freestyle wrestler finished with a silver medal and became the first male Argentinian to qualify for the Olympic Games since Paulo IBIRE qualified in 1996.

Destribats joined UWW's Eric Olanowski to talk about becoming the first Argentinian freestyle wrestler to qualify for the Olympic Games since 1996, and traveling to Dagestan, Russia, to train for the upcoming 2020 World Championships.
 

#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.