Women's Wrestling

Women's Wrestler of the Year Mensah Headlines Women's Wrestling Rankings

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - 14:34 By Andrew Hipps

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 1) – After a stellar 2019 campaign where she won United World Wrestling's “Women's Wrestler of the Year” Tamyra MENSAH (USA) heads into the 2020 season as the top-ranked 68kg wrestler in latest worldwide women's wrestling rankings.

Mensah, a returning world champion at 68kg, has the most points (92) of any women's wrestler in any weight category and is one of two American women ranked No.1 in the world. She is joined by fellow American Adeline GRAY, a five-time world champion, who tops the rankings at 76kg.

Women's wrestling power Japan has five wrestlers ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight categories, with two of the five wrestlers being 2016 Olympic champions, Risako KAWAI (No.1 at 57kg) and Sara DOSHO (No.10 at 68kg).

Nur-Sultan World Finalists Vuc, Stadnik Sit Atop 50kg Rankings
The two returning world finalists at 50kg, Emilia VUC (ROU) and Mariya STADNIK (AZE), sit atop the world rankings. Vuc finished as a runner-up to Stadnik at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan. In 2020, she earned a silver at the Matteo Pellicone in Rome and finished seventh at the European Championships. Stadnik, a three-time Olympic medalist, claimed her second world title and sixth world medal in Nur-Sultan.

Oksana LIVACH (UKR), a 2018 world bronze medalist, placed fifth at the 2019 World Championships and is ranked No.3 after earning medals at the Matteo Pellicone (bronze) and European Championships (silver).

Returning world bronze medalist Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) is ranked No.4 after earning a bronze at the Asian Championships this year.

Top 10 at 50kg
1. Emilia VUC (ROU) - 66
2. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) - 60
3. Oksana LIVACH (UKR) - 50
4. Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) - 39
5. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) - 32
6. Victoria ANTHONY (USA) - 30
7. Devi NIRMALA (IND) - 26
8. Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) - 25
--- Out of top-four contention ---
9. Yanan SUN (CHN) - 20
10. Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) - 20

World Champ Pak Remains No.1 at 53kg, Mukaida No.2 after Winning Asian Title
World champion PAK Yong (PRK) defeated Mukaida twice in 2019, with the most recent victory coming by technical superiority in the finals of the 2019 World Championship in Nur-Sultan. Pak and Mukaida are ranked No.1 and No.2 respectively at 53kg and are separated by just four points. Mukaida claimed a silver medal at this year's Asian Championships.

World bronze medalist VINESH (IND) has had a strong year, winning medals at the Matteo Pellicone and European Championships. She is currently ranked No.3. 

Fourth-ranked Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) recently won gold at the Pan American Championships after picking up a silver medal at the Matteo Pellicone.  Returning bronze medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) rounds out the top five wrestlers at 53kg. Pang won a bronze at the Matteo Pellicone this year.

Top 10 at 53kg
1. Yong PAK (PRK) - 60
2. Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) - 56
3. Vinesh VINESH (IND) - 55
4. Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) - 50
5. Qianyu PANG (CHN) - 37
6. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) - 32
7. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) - 32
--- Out of top-four contention ---
8. Lianna de la Caridad MONTERO HERRERA (CUB) - 30
9. Roksana ZASINA (POL) - 20
10. Tatyana AKHMETOVA AMANZHOL (KAZ) - 18

Kawai Secures No.1 Seed for Tokyo Olympics
Kawai, the reigning Olympic and world champion, locked up the No.1 seed for the Tokyo Olympics after winning her fourth Asian gold medal. The 25-year-old Japanese wrestling star claimed her third world title in September by defeating world champion Ningning RONG (CHN).

Returning world bronze medalist Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) is the clear No.2 at 57kg, but remains 17 points behind Kawai. Adekuoroye, a three-time world medalist, has fared well in 2020, winning a gold medal at the Mateo Pellicone to go along with her sixth African gold medal.

Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), a world bronze medalist in 2017 and 2019,  is one point ahead of Rong for the No.3 ranking at 57kg. Kurachkina won a bronze medal at the European Championships in February, her third straight European medal.

Top 10 at 57kg
1. Risako KAWAI (JPN) - 78
2. Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) - 61
3. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) - 41
4. Ningning RONG (CHN) - 40
5. Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) - 34
6. Marina SIMONYAN (RUS) - 32
7. Grace BULLEN (NOR) - 32
8. Anshu ANSHU (IND) - 30
9. Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) - 30
--- Out of top-four contention ---
10. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) - 20

Kyrgyzstan's First World Champ Tynybekova Remains No.1
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) made history in September by becoming the first Kyrgyzstan wrestler to win a senior world title when she captured the women's 62kg gold medal. Tynybekova has carried that momentum into 2020, winning a gold at the Matteo Pellicone as well as bronze at the Asian Championships. She has the second-most ranking points of any women's wrestler and has locked up the top seed at 62kg for the Tokyo Olympics. 

Six-time world medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), a silver medalist in Nur-Sultan to Tynybekova, is ranked No.2 at 62kg. The 2018 world champion won bronze at this year's European Championships, which marked her seventh medal at the European Championships.

Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR), a 2014 world champion and four-time world medalist, is ranked No.3 after winning a gold at the European Championships. Yukako KAWAI (JPN), a returning world bronze medalist, knocked off top-ranked Tynybekova en route to winning a gold at the Asian Championships.

Top 10 at 62kg
1. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) - 90
2. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) - 56
3. Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR) - 50
4. Yukako KAWAI (JPN) - 43
5. Kayla MIRACLE (USA) - 26
6. Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA) - 26
7. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) - 25
--- Out of top-four contention ---
8. Marianna SASTIN (HUN) - 20
9. Jong RIM (PRK) - 20
10. Marwa AMRI (TUN) - 18

Mensah Locks Up No.1 Ranking for Tokyo Olympics
The reigning world champion Mensah has locked up the No.1 seed for the Tokyo Olympics. After winning gold in Nur-Sultan, Mensah followed it up with a silver at the Matteo Pellicone and a gold at the Pan American Championships, where she earned the Outstanding Wrestler award after she recorded three falls and a technical superiority.

Ranked No.2 at 68kg is Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), who won her 10th African championship this year, where she outscored her opponents 40-0. Oborududu claimed a bronze at this year's European Championships. World champion and Olympic medalist Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) is ranked No.3. She was a runner-up to Mensah at the 2019 World Championships.

Top 10 at 68kg
1. Tamyra MENSAH (USA) - 92
2. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) - 48
3. Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) - 40
4. Anna SCHELL (GER) - 39
5. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) - 36
6. Divya KAKRAN (IND) - 28
7. Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) - 26
8. Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) - 25
9. Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) - 24
--- Out of top-four contention ---
10. Sara DOSHO (JPN) - 20

Five-time World Champion Gray Remains No.1 at 76kg
Gray, a five-time world champion, is ranked No.1 and will be looking for her first Olympic medal in Tokyo. She reached the final of the Pan American Championships in March before defaulting to earn a silver.

Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN), a silver medalist at the 2019 World Championships, won a gold medal at the Asian Championships and holds the No.2 ranking behind Gray.

2014 world champion Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) has been one of the world's top wrestlers for many years and currently sits at No.3 in the 76kg rankings. She won a world bronze medal in Nur-Sultan, and has had strong results in 2020, winning bronze medals at both the Matteo Pellicone and European Championships.

Asian bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) is ranked No.4, while Qian ZHOU (CHN), a silver medalist at the Matteo Pellicone, rounds out the top five.

Top 10 at 76kg
1. Adeline GRAY (USA) - 76
2. Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) - 58
3. Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) - 53
4. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) - 44
5. Qian ZHOU (CHN) - 34
6. Erica WIEBE (CAN) - 30
--- Out of top-four contention ---
7. Epp MAEE (EST) - 25
8. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) - 24
9. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) - 20
10. Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE) - 18

#WrestleMonterrey

Pan-American Championships 2025 Preview

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 08:11 By Vinay Siwach

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MONTERREY, Mexico (May 6) -- The Pan-American Championships 2025 in Monterrey can be a different story from the past as the United States is sending a much depleted squad for the tournament.

Will other countries rise up this year?  The Pan-American Championships will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW+ [FloWrestling for the U.S. and Canada] from May 8 to 11. Follow United World Wrestling on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and TikTok.

DOWNLOAD/READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

Text version

Greco-Roman

The biggest stars in Greco-Roman will be the three entries of Cuba. The nation has both of its Paris Olympic bronze medalists making a return to competition. World champions Luis ORTA (CUB) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) will be in action at 67kg and 97kg respectively and will be the favorite to win the gold medal. It also has Oscar PINO (CUB) at 130kg, who won the Pan-Am gold a couple of years ago.

The U.S. is banking on a mix of youth and experience. Young star Jayden RANEY (USA), who won U17 world title in 2024, is at 55kg, Maxwell BLACK (USA) is making his Pan-Ams debut at 60kg while veteran Ellis COLEMAN (USA) is returning to this tournament after six years.

Former champion Alejandro SANCHO (USA) has moved up a weight class to 72kg, big-throwing Kamal BEY (USA) is at 77kg and history-maker at the U23 World Championships with a silver medal Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will be the favorite at 82kg. Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) will be at 87kg and former U17 world champion Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) is at 130kg.

For Orta, the path to gold appears simple but he has returning silver medalist Andres MONTANO (ECU) and bronze medalist Nestor ALMANZA TRUYOL (CHI). However, it is unlikely that Orta will be challenged in the bracket. Rosillo will be the favorite at 97kg despite the presence of Paris Olympian and defending champion Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Pino, who won the gold at 130kg in 2023, has Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) and Schultz in the bracket but has experience and quality on his side.

He has been Cuba’s mainstay at 130kg for long but never competed at the Olympics due to the presence of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB). With Lopez retired after winning a record fifth Olympic gold in Paris, the doors to compete at Olympic have opened up for Pino.

The other weight classes will be evenly contested with the absence of Cuba. At 87kg, Sosruko KODZOKOV (BRA) will look to win his second Pan-Am title as he won the 82kg gold medal last year. He has Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) and returning silver medalist Luis AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) as the other big names in the bracket.

The U.S. will bank on Melelashvili to win the 82kg as he has only two other competitors in the weight class. Melelashvili became the first-ever U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win a silver medal at the U23 World Championships last year. Former silver medalist David CHOC HUOC (GUA) and returning bronze medalist Diego MACIAS TORRES (MEX) are entered at 82kg.

At 77kg, former Pan-Am champion Bey will be looking for his second title. Former world champion and veteran Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), wrestling perhaps for the last time, will be his biggest challenger. The two were involved in a thrilling contest in the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier last year but Bey hit a clutch throw to beat Julfalakyan 4-2.

Sancho, who won the gold medal at 67kg last year, is at 72kg and will be the best bet to win the gold medal. Former bronze medalist Cristian MEJIA TEPEN (GUA and recently crowned 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Jorge GOMEZ GARCIA (MEX) will be his biggest tests.

Another one of Mexico's 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Diego TERRIQUEZ IBARRA (MEX) will be hoping to win the gold at 60kg. But Patrick RODRIGUEZ QUINTO (ECU), who lost to Ibarra in the final last month will look to avenge that loss and upgrade to gold. Yonaiker MARTINEZ CRAVO (VEN), who has multiple age-group Pan-Am medals, will look to make a mark at the senior level.

Angel SEGURA TELLEZ (MEX) won the gold medal at U23 Pan-Ams at 63kg but the senior competition can prove tougher. He has Coleman, a 2012 Olympian for the U.S. and who recently won a bronze medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), a silver medalist from 2023, will look to win his first-ever gold medal.

At 55kg, Raney has just Isaac MARIN MATA (MEX) as the only other competitor entered while Colombia's absence from the tournament has offered a chance to a few others to be on the podium in Monterrey.

Women's Wrestling

Three silver and one bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics are entered in the field for Women's Wrestling. Kennedy BLADES (USA), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) won silver medals in Paris while Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) won bronze.

But the big question will be if the U.S. can dominate Women's Wrestling like it has in recent years.

Undoubtedly, the 76kg weight will be the toughest in Monterrey. Defending champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) has a big task ahead of her with Olympic bronze medalist Marin and world bronze medalist Kylie WELKER (USA) entered in the competition.

Reasco defeated Adeline GRAY (USA), 10-0, last year on her way to the gold. But Marin enjoys a better head-to-head record against Reasco which can put the latter under pressure.

Welker won the gold medal at the World U23 Championships last year and followed it up with a bronze medal at 72kg at the senior level but Pan-Ams will be a huge test for her at a heavier weight category. Reasco had defeated Welker 9-7 at Pan-Am Games in 2023.

Blades, who won silver in Paris at 76kg, continues her new season at 68kg. She will be making her Pam-Am debut and will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 68kg.

At 65kg, world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA) will be the favorite to win the gold medal. Former silver medalist Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) is also entered.

Former world U20 and U23 silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) will hope to improve on her past result at 50kg. For that, she will have to go through Olympic silver medalist Guzman, defending champion Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU), Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) and Madison PARKS (CAN) among others.

53kg has defending champion Yepez who will be the favorite as she returns to competition for the first time since winning the silver medal in Paris. World U20 silver medalist Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN) and former Pan-Am U20 silver medalist Jaslynn GALLEGOS (USA) are among the challengers.

Canada will be hoping for at least two gold medals, and the Godinez sisters will be the biggest reason. Karla GODINEZ (CAN) at 55kg and Ana at 62kg seem to have a relatively easy path to gold and will be favored to add to their past Pan-Am titles.

Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), another former Pan-Am champion, can add to the count for Canada.

At 57kg, veteran Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) will look to win a gold medal but she will have to see off Mia FRIESEN (CAN) and Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) among other wrestlers.

Freestyle

The United States won all 10 gold medals last year. Will that be the case this time around? Possible.

The country is counting on a young line-up led by Zahid VALENCIA (USA) to retain their supremacy in the continental championships.

Valencia, who recently defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), will be at 86kg and the favorite to repeat. Veteran Ethan RAMOS (PUR), returning medalist Jorge LLANO (ARG and Steven RODRIGUEZ (VEN) are also there but Valencia clearly has an edge over the field.

At 125kg, former world U23 champion Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) will challenge the field. Hendrickson recently made global headlines after beating Gable STEVESON (USA) to win the NCAA title. Hendrickson will look to complete a U.S. hat-trick of gold at this weight class.

Other U.S. young stars include Jaxen FORREST (USA) at 61kg, Ladarian LOCKETT (USA) at 74kg, Trent HIDLAY (USA) at 92kg, and Justin RADEMACHER (USA) at 97kg. Joseph MCKENNA (USA) is one of the relatively experienced wrestlers at 65kg.

Forrest, who is known for his attacking style, will have his task cut out in his first-ever senior tournament. The 2022 world U17 silver medalist can face tough competition from Joseph SILVA (PUR), a three-time consecutive silver medalist at 61kg, losing all finals to American wrestlers.

Lockett won the world U17 gold in 2023 but ended up with a silver medal at the world U20 in 2024. He will be making his senior-level debut at the Pan-Am Championships. It will be a surprise if he misses out on the gold medal in Monterrey despite his young age.

The 92kg weight class has five wrestlers entered and Hidlay will have to beat everyone to win the gold medal. Given his experience, Hidlay shouldn't have a problem navigating the field which has Andrew JOHNSON (CAN), Miguel LAVIELLE RAMIREZ (MEX), Eduardo VEGA GARCIA (PAN), and Edwin MORALES (PUR).

Paris Olympian Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) has emerged as the favorite to win the gold medal at 57kg. Bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event, Bravo Young had an exceptional performance at the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifying tournament in which he defeated Zane RICHARDS (USA). He will hold the key to denying the U.S. a clean sweep as he has Liam CORNIN (USA) in his weight class.

Eduardo PALAS SEQUEIROS (PER) will be returning to wrestling at 13 years. He last wrestled at the Pan-Am U20 Championships in 2012 in Greco-Roman.

Mexico's other Paris Olympian in Freestyle -- Austin GOMEZ (MEX) -- is at 70kg and has a good chance to win the gold medal as well over the U.S.

Argentina can finally end its drought of a gold medal at the Pan-Am Championships if Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) can bring out a performance like last year in which he finished with a silver medal.

This year, he will be among the favorites, along with Peiman BIABANI (CAN) who continues to try and make a mark since switching from Iran to Canada. McKenna is another wrestler who can stop Destribats.

The 97kg weight class can also throw a different winner as returning silver Arturo SILOT (CUB) hopes to upgrade his medal. Former silver medalist Nishan RANDHAWA (CAN) will be among the favorites for gold as well.

The U.S. has Rademacher, a bronze medalist at the 2024 World U20 Championships. He can surely surprise all to win the gold medal and continue the U.S. dominance at this weight class, all thanks to Kyle SNYDER (USA).

Returning bronze medalist Cristian SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN) and multiple-time medalist Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) are also entered at the weight.

At 79kg, Evan WICK (USA) will have his task cut out in the round-robin bracket as his weight class has only five wrestlers. Apart from Wick, Jasmit PHULKA (CAN), Victor HERNANDEZ LUNA (MEX), Jose AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER) and Shane JONES (PUR) are registered.