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World Championships 2025: Day 4 WW 50kg, 57kg, 65kg, 76kg Highlights

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - 08:29 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 16) -- The fourth day of the Women's Wrestling will see all Women's Wrestling action. Weight classes on the mat are 50kg, 57kg, 65kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The 2026 World Championships will be held in Bahrain from September 5 to 13.

13:44: Welker got to Medet Kyzy's legs and then converts it to a takedown. Welker scores a stepout to start the second period and extender her lead to 3-0. Medet Kyzy gets the takedown to make it 3-2 with a minute remaining. The Asian champion tries to find a way to get the one point and tries a pushout. Welker blocks it but Medet Kyzy slips her arm out and scores a takedown. She continues the action with a turn and leads 6-3 with 10 seconds remaining. An easy go-behind and she wins 8-3 to enter the semifinals.

13:41: Genesis REASCO (ECU) goes right to the lace lock in a first-period attack and before Enrica RINALDI (ITA) knows what hit her, she's behind 6-0. Reasco then gets behind and levers her over for an exposure to make it 10-0. A bit of a delay for a challenge, but nothing changes and officially Reasco wins 11-0 to advance to the 76kg semifinals.

13:37: European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) uses the leg lace to great effect and wins her 76kg semifinal against Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), 10-0.

13:36: Milaimy MARIN (CUB) bulls her way into the 76kg semifinals with a one-sided 10-0 win over Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN). Marin gets behind for the takedown, then reels off four gut wrenches to end the match in 57 seconds.

50kg semifinals
SF 1: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) vs. Myonggyong WON (PRK)
SF 2: Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) vs. Yu ZHANG (CHN)

13:32: Yu ZHANG (CHN) scores a takedown in the first period, then adds two more and a thigh-lock roll to secure a semifinal spot at 50kg with an 8-0 win over Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA).

13:31: Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) gets a stepout while on the activity clock in the second period to put her up 2-0, then makes that score hold up to defeat Nohalis LOYO JIMENEZ (VEN) and advance at 50kg.

13:28: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) gets a takedown and lace turn on Oksana LIVACH (UKR) to open the scoring in their 50kg quarterfinal. After the 4-0 lead, she adds two different takedowns to lead 8-0 at the break. Livach with a big throw out of nowhere but Yoshimoto survives the attempted pin and scores a reversal. An exposure to make it 11-4 which was the winning score for her.

13:25: Asian bronze medalist Myonggyong WON (PRK) catches Madison PARKS (CAN) in a lace and finishes her quarterfinal 12-0. Parks just could not stop Won's powerful turns.

57kg semifinals
SF 1: Helen MAROULIS (USA) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Il Sim SON (PRK) vs. Kexin HONG (CHN)

13:19: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) found a way to takedown Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) in the final 20 seconds of their 57kg semifinal. Down 6-1, she scored two points from that takedown and then turned Khoroshavtseva for two more points to make it 6-5. She needed one more turn for a win but the 10 seconds ran off and Khoroshavtseva booked her spot in the semifinal with a 6-5 win.

13:15: Il Sim SON (PRK) is looking sharp at 57kg, as she finishes off a 12-0 victory over Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) with a 4-point fireman's carry throw in the second period to book her place in the semifinals later today.

13:13: Kexin HONG (CHN) learns her lesson after giving up a counter-lift 2-pointer to Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) in their 57kg quarterfinal. Hong is more deliberate as she drives to three takedowns, going into the lace lock after the final one and reeling off three rolls to win 13:2 in 2:49.

13:12: Helen MAROULIS (USA) pins Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) in the 57kg quarterfinals! She trips Tokuhara and holds her for a fall and enter the semifinals at 57kg.

65kg semifinals
SF 1: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs Irina RINGACI (MDA)
SF 2: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)

13:05: Irina RINGACI (MDA) with a suplex for four against Kadriye KOCAK AKSOY (TUR) in the 65kg quarterfinals. She then adds a two-pointer to make it 6-0. Aksoy seems to have hurt herself during that throw. A stepout for Ringaci but it is challenged by Turkiye and it is awarded four points to Aksoy to cut it to 6-4. A takedown and turn for Ringaci in the second period as she extends to 10-4. Aksoy tries to comeback but Ringaci with a lace and she wins 16-6.

13:01: Grace BULLEN (NOR) sees her bid for an elusive first world title when she falls behind 8-3 in the second period off a scramble with Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), then in a desperation attack, gets slammed to her back for a fall with :08 left in their 65kg quarterfinal.

13:00: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) gets a stepout to get on board after Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) scored the opening takedown in their 65kg quarterfinal. In the second period, Morikawa with a leg attack and comes out on top with a takedown and leads 3-2. She manages to turn Koliadenko to make it 5-2 with 50 seconds left. She scores a stepout and hangs on to her 6-2 lead to win and enter the semifinals.

12:59: After the two trade two points in a first-period scramble, Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) catches Vaishnavi PATIL (IND) with a counter directly to her back and secures a fall to advance to the 65kg semfinals.

Quarterfinals

12:48: Asian bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN), holding the fort at 76kg for Japan as Olympic champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) remains on hiatus, survives a dangerous situation to edge QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) 6-5. With the Chinese leading 1-0 but on the activity clock in the second period, Yamamoto drives forward for a 4-point takedown that is upheld on challenge. The activity point gives her a 6-1 lead. But Qiandegenchagan catches her in a headlock and Yamamoto spends some anxious time fighting off her back. Qiandegenchagan then gains a stepout and a late takedown, but can't turn the Japanese in the final seconds.

12:35: Genesis REASCO (ECU) scores two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-0 at the break against PRIYA (IND) at 76kg. Priya gets on back in the second period but that is all in the bout and Reasco wins 4-2 and advance to the 76kg quarterfinals.

12:28: Former world U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN) worked on two takedowns and a roll before launching a big attack on Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) at 50kg. She gives up two exposure points but manages six points from the exchange to win 12-2 and reach the 50kg quarterfinals.

12:18: Asian bronze medalist Myonggyong WON (PRK) storms into the 50kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ). After a stepout, Won gains a takedown with Ankicheva on the clock and whips off two lace-lock rolls. Another takedown and that's all she wrote.

12:10: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Milaimy MARIN (CUB) makes short work of Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (UWW), getting a takedown and gut wrench, then coming back and doing it again, with an added roll to finish off a 10-0 victory in their 76kg match in just over a minute.

12:07: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) shrugs off giving up an early takedown by coming back to take Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) down directly to her back and securing a fall at 76kg.

12:04: World U20 silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) finds the going tough in her senior world debut at 50kg, as Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA) grabs a stepout for the lone point of the first period. But Jimenez gets in gear and opens the second period with a takedown, only to get flagged for fleeing, giving Liuzzi a point and the top position of par terre -- from which she hits a gut wrench. In the final seconds, Liuzzi scores a 2-point counter exposure as Jimenez gets behind, but time runs out, giving the Italian a 6-3 win.

11:55: She had a slow start in the first bout but Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) wins via technical superiority against Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) at 57kg. Tokuhara with a big four-pointer in that bout.

11:50: A wild one on Mat C as European bronze medalist Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) trade 4-point moves in a non-stop thriller at 57kg that sees Hong go from a 4-0 deficit to a 7-6 lead at the break. Hong gets two more takedowns off a single in which she fights off Vynnyk's counter attempts, and adds an exposure after the second one to go up 13-7. Another takedown and an exposure gives her a 17-6 with 18 seconds to spare.

11:45: Paris Olympic bronze medalist and two-time reigning European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) absolutely devastates 2023 world 59kg champion  Qi ZHANG (CHN) in their opener at 65kg, scoring two takedowns in the first period, then starting the second with a 4-point throw. A double-leg takedown gives her an 11-0 victory.

11:40: Helen MAROULIS (USA) with her trademark arm-bar to get the fall against Emine CAKMAK (TUR) at 57kg. Maroulis is looking to add to her world medal collections.

11:35: Olympic silver medalist at 62kg Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) has no trouble in seeing off Alexis GOMEZ (MEX), 10-0, in 46 seconds at 65kg.

11:31: 2024 world U23 silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) scores 4 with a reverse throw against two-time world medalist Macey KILTY (USA) at 65kg. The two then trade takedowns to put Kasabieva up 6-2 at the break. But Kilty goes on the attack and scores two takedowns, but Kasabieva has the big-point criteria, and she holds on for a 6-6 win.

11:21: A historic moment for wrestling, as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first Palestinian woman to take the mat at a World Championships. Unfortunately, the (un)luck of the draw at 65kg put her against three-time world medalist Irina RINGACI (MDA), who is looking to regain the world title she won in 2021. Ringaci proved too much for the Canadian-born Mayali, using a back-trip twice and a throw to score three 4-point moves and win 12-0 in 1:03. Mayali, who won a silver medal at the 2021 Pan Am Championships, first appeared for Palestine at this year's Asian Championships, where she placed eighth.

11:20: World champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) just started off with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) at 65kg. She is looking for her second world title. Morikawa finished with a bronze medal last year at 65kg

11:12: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and four-time world medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) breaks open a close match with a takedown and gut wrench in the second period, then goes on to post a 10-2 victory over Magdalena GLODEK (POL) at 57kg.

11:05: Myonggyong WON (PRK) built an 8-2 lead and tried defending it against Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) at 50kg. But Smirnova kept coming back against Won. However, it was Won who managed to score another takedown and win 10-8. 

10:55: Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), a former world U23 champion, handles her match against Samantha STEWART (CAN) with great strategy. She works slowly before getting two takedowns in the second period to win 5-0 at 57kg.

10:30: Welcome to day four of the World Championships with all women's wrestling action. The weight classes in action are 50kg, 57kg, 65kg and 76kg.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

 

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN)Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Spencer LEE (USA)Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

PodiumAll four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.