2026 U17 World Championships

Women's Wrestling Watch at U17 World Championships 2026

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - 13:22 By Vinay Siwach

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Wrestling Taina FERNANDEZ (USA)

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 28) -- Wrestlers at the U17 World Championships will breathe a sigh of relief. China, Asia's top team at this level, will not compete in the tournament in Baku.

With China absent, Japan, India and the United States emerge as the leading contenders for the team title. India won the championship last year, with the U.S. finishing second and Japan third.

Despite China's absence, the wrestling in Baku promises to be top-notch. From individual milestones to the battle for the team title, there will be no shortage of compelling storylines.

Fernandez Chases Third Gold

Among the biggest storylines is Taina FERNANDEZ (USA), a two-time U17 world champion at 61kg. Now competing at 69kg, Fernandez is chasing a third U17 world title. A gold medal would make history, as she would become the first non-Japanese wrestler to win three U17 world championships.

Only four wrestlers have won three U17 world titles, all of them Japanese women: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) [2011, 2012, 2013], Kika KAGATA (JPN) [2012, 2013, 2014], Yui SUSAKI (JPN) [2014, 2015, 2016] and Honoka NAKAI (JPN) [2017, 2018, 2019].

Fernandez, yet to lose an international bout, faces a stern test after moving up eight kilograms to 69kg. Her opening opponent is U17 Asian silver medalist TANIYA (IND). Hopefully, the commentators don't confuse Taina and Taniya.

The bracket also features U17 European champion Kiymet TEZCAN (TUR), bronze medalists Nino SAMKHARADZE (GEO) and Polina EFIMOVA (RUS), as well as Hibiki IIDA (JPN), because counting out a Japanese wrestler has rarely ended well.

Wrestling Solomiia PETRIV (UKR)U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), red, at 73kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Battle of 73kg

The 73kg weight class was introduced in 2018, when Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) claimed the inaugural title. That remains the last time Japan won the heaviest women's weight class. Since then, India has captured three gold medals, while China, the United States and Russia have won one each.

The race for the 73kg title in Baku is wide open with China absent. India is banking on U17 Asian champion GARIMA (IND), who will need to elevate her performance from the continental championships if she hopes to claim the world title that KAJAL (IND) narrowly missed after finishing runner-up last year.

U17 European champion Solomiia PETRIV (UKR), who won bronze at 69kg last year, enters as one of the favorites. Potential rematches from the U17 European Championships loom, with silver medalist Bianka BARANY (HUN) and bronze medalists Karina MUZALEVSKAIA (RUS) and Lyra LEDERER (GER) also in the field.

U17 Asian silver medalist Namuuntsetseg BATBOLD (MGL) brings Mongolia's trademark throwing attack, while Kaili MANUEL (USA) could emerge as the dark horse.

Wrestling Janka SILLEI (HUN)U17 European champion Janka SILLEI (HUN), left, is one of the favorites at 57kg in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Stars Clash at 57kg

The deepest weight class appears to be 57kg, featuring several established names moving into the division.

Returning world silver medalists Janka SILLEI (HUN), who won silver at 46kg, and Epenesa ELISON (USA), last year's runner-up at 53kg, land on the same side of the bracket.

After moving up just one weight class, Elison has the tools to reach the final, but she opens against Rion SUZUKI (JPN), a difficult first-round opponent. Sillei, meanwhile, dominated the U17 European Championships at 57kg, outscoring every opponent.

Also in the field are U17 European silver medalist Mariia POLTORAK (UKR), bronze medalist Marharyta DANILEVICH (BLR) and U17 Pan-American silver medalist Gurleen DHILLON (CAN).

Despite lacking international medals, Suzuki, Nikita SEHRAWAT (IND) and Sofiia BELOVA (RUS) should not be overlooked.

Wrestling IndiaIndia won the Women's Wrestling team title at the 2025 U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Team Title Race

Japan brings a formidable lineup that can make a run for the team gold. This is despite the country's inter-high school championships coincide with the U17 World Championships, forcing several wrestlers to prioritize the domestic event and leaving Japan short of full strength.

The U.S. squad is headlined by Fernandez but also includes two returning world medalists and three U17 Pan-American champions. Elison will look to improve on last year's silver medal, while returning bronze medalist Madison HEALEY (USA) competes at 46kg.

The U17 Pan-American champions on the U.S. roster are Sophia VALDEZ (USA) at 40kg, Landri VON GONTEN (USA) at 61kg and Eve SKROCKI (USA) at 69kg.

Last year, it fell just four points short of India, which claimed its second U17 Women's Wrestling team title. This year's Indian squad, however, does not appear to have the same depth as last year's championship-winning team, making the race more open.

With Russia and Belarus eligible to score team points, and Ukraine also fielding a strong squad, the race for the team title promises to be considerably more competitive than it was a year ago.

#WrestleTirana

Six-Time World Champ Sadulaev is Now Six-Time European Champ

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 19:29 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 25) -- "Six-time world champion, six-time European champion."

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) says the sentence has a "nice ring to it."

In 2024, Sadulaev wrestled at his first World Championships in three years in Tirana and won his sixth world title. On Saturday and in Tirana, Sadulaev wrestled at his first European Championships in six years and won his sixth European gold medal.

UWW Plus

Sadulaev, who is now unbeaten in 26 bouts in Europe, outwrestled Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 14-3, in the 97kg final. However, it was Tsakulov who opened the scoring in the final.

"Tirana has become such a lucky place for me," Sadulaev said. "In just two months, I’ve already managed to visit here for the second time. Two years ago, I won the World Championships here. The welcome here is so warm. The crowd and the atmosphere were absolutely top-notch."

In front of a packed Feti Borova Olympic Park Arena, Sadulaev lived up to the expectation of a world champion he was crowned at the same arena in 2024.

Barring the first attack from Tsakulov, Sadulaev remained in complete control of his final, and completed his 17th win via technical superiority in all European history.

Tsakulov surprised Sadulaev as he shot a double-leg early in the match and the latter tried to defend using a chest-wrap. But Tsakulov kept the pressure and put Sadulaev in danger to get his two points. Sadulaev quickly reversed and scored one point before turning Tsakulov three times for a 7-2 lead.

Sadulaev challenged the decision, which he later realized that he shouldn't have, and lost it as all the scoring was accurate. Tsakulov was awarded a point for the lost challenge.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW)Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW), red, battles it out against Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the second period, Tsakulov threatened with some quick attacks but Sadulaev was quick on his feat to escape. He managed to score a stepout to extend his lead to 8-3. With 20 seconds remaining, Tsakulov tried another double-leg attack but Sadulaev was ready for it, countering it with a go-behind and scored a takedown.

Sadulaev could have well defended his lead but in the final 10 seconds, he hit his own attacks, scoring a takedown and then a turn to finish the bout 14-3.

"I’ve known Tsakulov since 2012," he said. "Back then we were both in the junior ranks, and he was already competing for the national team. We were competing in almost the same weight class at the time. Ever since then, I’ve known that you really can’t let your guard down against him at all. He’s capable of attacking at any moment."

After winning the final, Sadulaev was relieved to regain the top spot in the continent and said it gave him "peace."

"The last time I competed at the European Championships was six years ago in Rome," he said. "I really missed the international stage and the official competitions like the European Championships, the World Championships and the Olympic Games. They’re not like other ranking events, no other competition can compare to these.

"That’s why this victory was particularly important to me, so that I could have peace and a place in Europe."

But when asked to pick his most memorable European title among the once won in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020, Sadulaev picked his first gold he won in 2014 in Finland. Wrestling at 86kg then, Sadulaev defeated Murad GAIDAROV (BLR), 5-2, in the final and outscored his opponents 50-3 in five bouts.

"The first one I ever won," he said. "It was in Finland, in the town of Vantaa, I remember. I won quite easily and confidently there. But I was probably hungry back then, and I still am now."

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW)Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) looks at his medal during the European Championships in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Sadulaev is perhaps hungry for his seventh world title that he could win later this year after winning them in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024.

"I’ve been keeping an eye on them [97kg opponents]," he said. "Unfortunately, last year I had to watch them on TV, both at the European Championships and the World Championships. So I’m keeping an eye on them, watching them, and moving forward."

But it won't be a straightforward quest. He would have to win the national championships, a virtual qualification for the World Championships.  

"If I do qualify, I think the 97kg category will be one of the most exciting World Championships in history. I really do," he said.

While that is still six months away, Sadulaev will be keen on regaining his 97kg world title which he last won five years ago in Oslo and change his record to seven-time world champion.

Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) completes a takedown against Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) during the 79kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In other marquee match on Saturday, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) got the better of Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), 4-2, in the 79kg final. Usmanov was awarded an activity period point after Kadzimahamedau was warned for passivity in the first period.

Kadzimahamedau was put on the activity clock again in the second period and it was during this that Usmanov hit a double-leg attack to make it 3-0. When the activity clock expired, his lead extended to 4-0. It was only in the final few seconds that Kadzimahamedau managed a takedown but failed to get anything more.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) celebrates his 2-1 victory over Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) in the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Defending champion at 70kg David BAEV (UWW) saw off the challenge of rising star and U23 European champion Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) and retained his gold medal after a 2-1 victory in the final.

Baev needed a stepout in the second period to take a clear one-point lead and then kept Gaidarli at a distance to win his second consecutive Euro title.

Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW)Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) scores two points on Islam DUDAEV (ALB) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

At 65kg, Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) stunned the home fans by beating home-favorite and Olympic bronze medalist Islam DUDAEV (ALB) in what turned out be a very one-sided final, beating Dudaev 10-0.

After a slow start to the final, it was Dudaev who blinked first, shooting for a far-fetched attack and Magomedov defended. It resulted in both wrestlers being in a tangle, but Magomedov came out on top for two points.

Magomedov wrapped his hands around Dudaev's legs and brought him down for another two points before turning him for two more, leading 6-0 at the break.

Dudaev gave up two easy takedowns in the second period as Magomedov completed the technical superiority with two minutes left in the final.

Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

The 57kg final saw Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) stage an impressive comeback against Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) only to be denied in the final moments. Bazarganov led 8-0 before Mekhtikhanov scored six points in the second period. But he failed to score the making winning takedown and Bazarganov took the gold medal home.

Bazarganov used a slide-by to score the opening takedown for two points before an easy snapdown gave him two more points. He also rolled Mekhtikhanov to lead 6-0 after 1:12 in the match.

His third takedown also came using a slide-by and Mekhtikhanov fell on the mat as if he did not have any defense. Bazarganov led 8-0 at the break.

Mekhtikhanov woke up in the second period and managed to score a takedown after much effort to get on board with two points. A single-leg takedown made it 8-4 as Mekhtikhanov continued to reduce the gap. He used a sweep single to take off two more points but was left with only 17 seconds to score the match winning takedown.

But Bazarganov locked fingers, fled and threw his legs back when Mekhtikhanov attacked to save his lead and win the gold medal.

Photo

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW), 8-6

BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO), 8-5
BRONZE: Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 16-6

65kg
GOLD: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Islam DUDAEV (ALB), 10-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Islam GUSEINOV (UWW) df. Ahmet DUMAN (TUR), 9-8

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA), 2-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 4-0
BRONZE: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) df. Mikyay NAIM (BUL), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), 4-2 

BRONZE: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 11-1
BRONZE: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) df. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 14-3

BRONZE: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Richard VEGH (HUN), 5-3
BRONZE: Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), via fall (4-2)

Semifinals

61kg
SF 1: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), via fall (4-3)
SF 2: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 9-2

74kg
SF 1: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 1-1
SF 2: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 1-1

86kg
SF 1: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 9-4
SF 2: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Ivars SAMUSONOK (LAT), 12-2

92kg
SF 1: Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) df. Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW), 3-2
SF 2: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Samuel SCHERRER (SUI), 6-0

125kg
SF 1: Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN) df. Mohsen SIYAR (GER), 4-3
SF 2: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), 3-1