#WomensDay2022

WATCH: Ten Women's Freestyle Finals from #WrestleIstanbul

Monday, March 7, 2022 - 18:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (March 4) -- The women's freestyle bouts from the #WrestleIstanbul Ranking Series had some surprise winners. Some of the established stars suffered losses early while young wrestlers finished on the podium.

If you missed the finals from the tournament, here are all the ten finals from the Istanbul event.

GOLD: 50kg - Polina LUKINA (RWF) vs Emilia VUC (ROU)

 

GOLD: 53kg - Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) vs Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL)

 

GOLD: 55kg - Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)

 

GOLD: 57kg -  Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)

 

GOLD: 59kg - Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA TCYRENOVA (RWF)

 

GOLD: 62kg - Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) vs Macey KILTY (USA)

 

GOLD: 65kg - Mallory VELTE (USA) vs Forrest MOLINARI (USA)

 

GOLD: 68kg - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)

 

GOLD: 72kg - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Anna SCHELL (GER)

 

GOLD: 76kg - Martina KUENZ (AUT) vs Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - 07:10 By Vinay Siwach

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NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.