rankings

Vuc Ascends to No.1 in Women's World Rankings, 9 Retain No.1 Ranking

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (July 2) -- Alina VUC (ROU) ascends to No.1 at 50kg in the July 2018 Ranking Series for women's wrestling after winning gold at the China Open.

Vuc, a European silver medalist and Klippan Lady Open bronze medalist, won her China Open gold medal with a 1-0 victory over China's ZHU Jiang.

Vuc is the lone new No. 1 in this month's rankings for women's wrestling. 

Other No.1-ranked wrestlers include Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) at 53kg, Bediha GUN (TUR) at 55kg, Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) at 57kg, Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) at 59kg, Kayla MIRACLE (USA) at 62kg, Petra OLLI (FIN) at 65kg, Laura SKUJINA (LAT) at 68kg, Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) at 72kg and Adeline GRAY (USA) at 76kg. 

USA has the most top-ranked women's wrestlers with three. Hildebrandt and Gray won gold medals at the Pan American Championships, while Miracle claimed a bronze. 

Bediha GUN (55kg) and Elif YESILIRMAK (59kg) give Turkey a pair of No.1-ranked wrestlers. 

Gun, a 2016 Olympian, was a silver medalist at the Klippan Lady Open and a bronze medalist at the European Championships. 


Yesilirmak, a multiple-time world medalist, won a gold medal at the European Championships and a bronze medal at the Klippan Lady Open.

The 2018 season is the first in which United World Wrestling is utilizing an objective ranking system. The points acquired at continental championships and select rankings series will determine the top four seeded athletes at the 2018 World Championships in October held in Budapest.
 
For more on the Ranking Series format, be sure to check out this article

View all the rankings on United World Wrestling's homepage.

50kg
1. Alina VUC (ROU) // 51 Points
2. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) // 43 Points
3. Chun LEI (CHN) // 29 Points
4. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) // 26 Points
5. Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RUS) // 24 Points

53kg
1. Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) // 38 Points
2. Yu MIYAHARA (JPN) // 34 Points
3. Aysun ERGE (TUR) // 33 Points
4. Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) // 31 Points
5. Mercedesz DENES (HUN) // 30 Points

55kg
1. Bediha GUN (TUR) // 33 Points
2. Hyemin OH (KOR) // 27 Points
3. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) // 23 Points
4. Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) // 22 Points
5. Nazgul NURAKHAN (KAZ) // 21 Points

57kg
1. Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) // 41 Points
2. Laura MERTENS (GER) // 31 Points
3. Xingru PEI (CHN) // 30 Points
4. Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) // 27 Points
5. Tetyana KIT (UKR) // 27 Points

59kg
1. Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) // 33 Points
2. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) // 29 Points
3. Yuzuru KUMANO (JPN) // 28 Points
4. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) // 25 Points
5. Ningning RONG (CHN) // 22 Points

62kg
1. Kayla MIRACLE (USA) // 35 Points
2. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) // 33 Points
3. Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR) // 28 Points
4. Luzie MANZKE (GER) // 28 Points
5. Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL) // 23 Points

65kg
1. Petra OLLI (FIN) // 41 Points
2. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) // 33 Points
3. Forrest MOLINARI (USA) // 26 Points
4. Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) // 25 Points
5. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) // 23 Points

68kg
1. Laura SKUJINA (LAT) // 31 Points
2. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) // 30 Points
3. Tumentsetseg SHARKHUU (MGL) // 30 Points
4. Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS) // 25 Points
5. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) // 23 Points

72kg
1. Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) // 36 Points
2. Alexandra nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) // 26 Points
3. Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS) // 24 Points
4. Masako FURUICHI (JPN) // 23 Points
5. Yue HAN (CHN) // 18 Points

76kg
1. Adeline GRAY (USA) // 40 Points
2. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) // 38 Points
3. Epp MAE (EST) // 30 Points
4. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) // 28 Points
5. Eunju HWANG (KOR) // 25 Points

#development

Higuchi, Dosho masterclass as UWW hosts women’s camp at Shigakkan

By United World Wrestling Press

OBU, Aichi, Japan (November 16) — The 2025 United World Wrestling Women’s Training Camp at Shigakkan University concluded after twelve days of intensive training, education, and cultural exchange.

The university has been one of the leaders of women’s wrestling in Japan and worldwide and has produced champion wrestlers including four-time Olympic champion Kari ICHO (JPN) and 13-time world champion Saori YOSHIDA (JPN).

Organized as part of UWW’s ongoing initiative to promote growth and provide high-level opportunities for female athletes worldwide, this edition followed last July’s successful camp held at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Vijayanagar, Karnataka, India.

Shigakkan University demonstrated outstanding commitment by providing excellent facilities, coordination, and support, while the 20 athletes from 11 countries showed remarkable dedication, professionalism, and a strong work ethic throughout the program.

Japan

A highlight of the camp was the series of masterclasses by Japan’s most accomplished wrestlers including Olympic champion Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who led a four-day technical instruction masterclass during the camp, demonstrating a series of wrestling techniques.

Paris Olympic silver medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) opened the camp with two days of teaching and showcased some of his signature techniques. Sara DOSHO (JPN), Olympic champion in Rio 2016, guided the final two days with practical, detail-oriented sessions rooted in her championship experience.

The camp also had anti-doping and sport-nutrition workshops, delivered by Professor Taro MURAKAMI from the Department of Nutrition, was supported by Hirobumi TADA, who made the session interactive through a card-based educational game. University students also participated, helping create an engaging atmosphere that emphasized clean sport and athlete responsibility.

Dr. Hideyuki GOTO, from the Department of Sports and Fitness and team doctor of the Shigakkan Women’s Wrestling program, offered a hands-on class on concussion awareness and prevention. Athletes received practical demonstrations with ultrasound and clear guidance on injury detection and safe athlete care.

Daichi TAKATANI (JPN)

The wrestlers also participated in an Exchange Event with university students that included a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, summer kimono experience, matcha preparation, origami.

The camp also received the special visit of Dr. Kuniko TANIOKA, Chairperson and President of Shigakkan University, who warmly welcomed the participants on behalf of the institution.

The collaboration between UWW and Shigakkan University resulted in a comprehensive program that combined elite technical training, educational development, and meaningful cultural exchange.