#BuchaWrestU23

World Champions Gempei and Sukhee advance to U23 Semifinals

By Taylor Miller

Photo of Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) by Sachicko Hotaka.

BUCHAREST, Romania – The semifinals for Thursday at the 2018 U23 World Championships have been set and features two World champions.

Highlighting the semifinalists at 65 kg is returning U23 World champion Ayana GEMPEI (JPN), who is also a 2016 Junior World champion and a 2018 Senior World bronze medalist.

To earn her second spot in the U23 World finals, Gempei will have to go through 2018 Junior World bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR).

The other 65 kg semifinal will feature 2017 U23 World bronze medalist Moa NYGREN (SWE) and two-time Junior World bronze medalist Elis MANOLOVA (AZE).

There are three past age-group World medalists in the semifinals at 57 kg.

On the top side of the bracket, 2014 Senior World champion and 2015 Senior World silver medalist Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) will battle this year’s University World runner-up Alexandria TOWN (CAN).

Meanwhile on the bottom half, 2017 U23 World silver medalist and 2018 Junior World silver medalist Qi ZHANG (CHN) will go head-to-head with 2018 Junior Asian champion Akie HANAI (JPN), who knocked off 2017 Senior World bronze medalist Becka LEATHERS (USA) in the qualification round.

Photo of Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR).

At 53 kg, two-time Cadet World silver medalist Andreea ANA (ROU) will face 2018 University World silver medalist Momoka KADOYA (JPN), while two-time Junior World bronze winner and 2018 Military World champion Milana DADASHEVA (RUS) will battle two-time Junior World medalist Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR).

At 62 kg, we’ll see 2018 Senior World runner-up Yukako KAWAI (JPN) take on home country’s Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU), who is a 2016 University World silver medalist and 2013 Cadet World bronze winner.

Also moving on to the semis at 62 kg was 2017 U23 World silver medalist Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) and two-time age-group World silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER).

At 72 kg, two-time age-group World bronze medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) will challenge Buse TOSUN (TUR), who won bronze at the 2018 Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Tosun is also a 2013 Junior World silver medalist.

In the other 72 kg semi, 2017 Junior World bronze medalist and hometown favorite Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) against Xiaoqian WANG (CHN).

Semifinal matchups

53 kg
Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Momoka KADOYA (JPN)
Milana DADASHEVA (RUS) vs. Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR)

57 kg
Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) vs. Alexandria TOWN (CAN)
Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Akie HANAI (JPN)

62 kg
Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)
Yukako KAWAI (JPN) vs. Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU)

65 kg
Moa NYGREN (SWE) vs. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) vs. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)

72 kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Buse TOSUN (TUR)
Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) vs. Xiaoqian WANG (CHN)

#development

Algeria Hosts Successful UWW Level 1 Coaches Course

By United World Wrestling Press

FOUKA, TIPAZA, Algeria (May 15) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1: Introduction to Coaching and Safety coaching course was successfully organized by the Algerian Wrestling Federation, UWW and Olympic Solidarity.

The five-day course was organized at the National Teams Training and Preparation Center in Fouka, Tipaza from May 7 to 11 and it brought together wrestling coaches from across Algeria in an atmosphere marked by discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to developing wrestling at both national and continental levels.

The course was conducted by international UWW experts Vincent AKA and Ahmed KHEDHRI, who delivered theoretical and practical sessions focused on modern coaching methodology, athlete safety, technical development, and the core principles of international wrestling training standards.

Algeria

Throughout the course, participants demonstrated remarkable engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Coaches exchanged experiences, strengthened their technical knowledge, and reinforced their collective ambition to contribute to the long-term growth of Algerian wrestling.

The closing ceremony, highlighted by the presentation of certificates to all participants, reflected the success of the program and the strong educational momentum currently shaping wrestling development in Algeria.

During the course, several participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the quality of the training and the spirit of unity created throughout the event.

"This training was a true source of inspiration for all of us. Thanks to the professionalism, pedagogy, and expertise shared during the course, we experienced an unforgettable educational journey," said Fodil BOURAS SIDAHEMED on behalf of the group “Les Guerriers.”

Another participant, AK DJAHID, praised the atmosphere among the coaches, emphasizing “solidarity, respect, professionalism, and exemplary behavior throughout the entire course.”

UWW

The event also coincided with the official visit of Development Director of UWW Deqa NIAMKEY, who visited several wrestling development sites in Algeria and met with national sports authorities.

During her visit, Niamkey highlighted the impressive progress achieved by the Algerian Wrestling Federation in recent years and reaffirmed UWW’s support for the federation’s ambitious long-term development strategy, particularly its investment in youth wrestling and grassroots programs.