#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: What to watch in women's wrestling

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 8) -- If you wanted to see a trailer of what the World Championships in Belgrade will look like, don't miss the fourth Ranking Series, Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial, in Budapest next.

As nations try to pick their squads for the World Championships, which offer quotas for the Paris Olympics, the Budapest event has added significance along with the medals and the prize money even though the tournament allows two-kilogram weight tolerance.

Freestyle has seen 174 registrations so far while Greco-Roman has 196. Women's wrestling will see 182 wrestlers in action when the competition begins Thursday.

With so much action on three mats, here are a few matchups that you cannot miss in women's wrestling.

50kg
World silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) will be headed to Budapest for her second international tournament of the year. She participated in the Zagreb Open in February, finishing eighth after losing to Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Dolgorjav has been one of the top 50kg wrestlers since winning the bronze at the 2021 World Championships. She improved to silver at the second edition and remained undefeated in the World Cup.

But Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), who is in the purple patch of her career, will be looking to avenge her loss to Dolgorjav. The Olympic bronze medalist was on her way to a second straight world final in 2022 but Dolgorjav defeated her in the semifinals.

The Belgrade bout saw a fierce battle between the two but Dolgorjav put on a superior defensive performance to notch up a 6-2 win. Having learned her lessons from that loss, Hildebrandt may go for a different strategy if the two meet in Budapest.

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) is a two-time European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

53kg
At 53kg, expect some top bouts from the opening round itself. Canada has three wrestlers at this weight class while Poland, China, Hungary, and Ukraine have two each. World champion Dominique PARRISH (USA), Tokyo Olympic medalists Qianyu PANG (CHN) and Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL), big-throwing Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) will be the names to keep an eye on.

One match-up that fans need to keep an eye on is Malmgren facing Pang. The two-time European champion has been making a name for herself since missing a chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, winning the U20 world, two European and a U23 European title.

Pang, on the other hand, has only had two tournaments since winning the silver in Tokyo. She was part of China's World Cup squad and won two of her three outs. She claimed the Asian gold at 55kg in April which marked her return to the top.

With a long break, Pang may be rusty and will have counter Malmgren's powerful attacks from underhook. The match-up pairs two powerful wrestlers with a high percentage of upper-body attacks.

 

55kg
The last time VINESH (IND) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) met, the latter pinned Vinesh after building a lead. That was the Istanbul Ranking Series in February 2022, with Vinesh coming back after a few battles with mental health after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics in which she failed to win a medal and faced public wrath including from the Wrestling Federation of India.

Winchester, who won the gold medal at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series gold in February, will once again be the favorite as Vinesh has been out of competition since the 2022 World Championships in which won a bronze medal.

However, fans can expect a fierce battle between the two, contrasting the meek affair from Istanbul.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is moving down to 57kg in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

57kg
The Olympic qualification period always makes wrestlers switch to the Olympic weight class and Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), world champion at 59kg, is moving back to 57kg for Budapest. Nichita has lost one bout, the final of the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, since 2022. Her dominance has majorly been at 59kg in which she won her third European gold in April.

In Budapest, she will have to face some tests and Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) will be the toughest of them. Hrushyna won the European gold in Zagreb at 57kg and has been one of the best at this weight class since returning from injury in late 2021.

In the last two years, she has lost only to Helen MAROULIS (USA) and Sae NANJO (JPN) and won 11 medals, including eight gold, in as many tournaments.

Hrushyna is known for her leg attacks and mixes them with big throws from standing. Her defense may be a challenge for Nichita who has some incredible skills for big throws and takedowns.

Undoubtedly, the two will be cautious of each other and if they meet on the mat, expect a battle like no other.

62kg
After a disappointing start of the year, finishing 13th in Zagreb, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) returned to the top at 62kg winning gold at Ranking Series in Alexandria and Asian Championships. She will be the favorite to win another gold when she steps on the mat in Budapest at 62kg.

Three months later, she will be in Budapest and can face European champion Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) once again. The two met in the semifinal in Alexandria and Tynybekova barely made it for a 2-0 win.

Koliadenko was stopped in her attacks by Tynybekova who got a point for activity and a lost challenge from her Ukrainian opponent. Tynybekova's defense in that bout frustrated Koliadenko who, most likely, will need to be more attacking from the word go.

Emma BRUNTIL (USA)Emma BRUNTIL (USA), red, will face Irina RINGACI (MDA) at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

65kg
Three months before the World Championships, Irina RINGACI (MDA) has decided to continue wrestling at 65kg a weight class she lost at the European Championships.

At the start of 2022, Ringaci had moved from 65kg to 68kg, raising hopes that she will now be permanently in the Olympic weight class.

In Budapest, she will face Emma BRUNTIL (USA), a bout that will offer a lot for wrestling fans. Bruntil has a solid record in Ranking Series, winning medals at four events out of five. She has reached the final of three of them.

Bruntil has shown progressive improvement over the years, most recently winning the USA team spot for the World Championships in Belgrade.

Ringaci has one of the defense and counters from positions. Her strong gut wrench may also trouble Bruntil. Given the two-kilogram weight allowance, Ringaci may be the favorite but don't count Bruntil out of this.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA)Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) won the gold medal at the Zagreb Open in February. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

68kg
A lot can happen at 68kg but keep an eye on a three-way French battle in Budapest. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), Kendra DACHER (FRA) and Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), all three eyeing a spot on the World Championships team, will be in Budapest at 68kg.

Larroque, Tokyo Olympian at 68kg, has been the regular at this weight class this year, winning gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix and Zagreb Open, silver at Ibrahim Moustafa and bronze at the European Championships.

For the 2022 World Championships, Lecarpentier defeated Larroque and booked her spot for Belgrade. She lost to Ami ISHII (JPN) and to Linda MORAIS (CAN) in repechage.

Larroque and Lecarpentier met in the Henri Deglane final in January which the former won. In Zagreb Open in February, Larroque won gold while Lecarpentier won a bronze medal.

Dacher, a U23 world silver medalist from 2021 at 72kg, is moving down to 68kg with the hopes of making it to Belgrade. She was seventh last year in Belgrade and earlier this year, in a stunning drop, moved to 65kg and finished fifth.

Larroque will also look to settle scores with Forrest MOLINARI (USA) who beat her 12-2 in a bloody 68kg final in Alexandria.

76kg
If there is one weight class in women's wrestling in which no one can all the shots, it has to be 76kg. Adeline GRAY (USA) has been the favorite for years but she took a break to give birth to twins, the category has been wide open.

World champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) will be in Budapest with revenge on her mind.

At the World Cup in December, Adar faced Yelena MAKOYED (USA) in the UWW World Team vs the US match and suffered a fall.

Makoyed, who has three Ranking Series gold and is unbeaten internationally, has been a big revelation at 76kh. Just that competition back home in the US is increasingly difficult.

Adar will have to find a way to deal with the pressure Makoyed puts in her leg attacks and then the transitions. The Turkish wrestler was clearly caught off guard by Makoyed's style at the World Cup.

In a bout between two extremely powerful wrestlers, Adar may try a different tactic this time and wait for Makoyed's attacks and counter them.

Even if these two don't meet, world silver medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST), and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) are also wrestling in Budapest.

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 5 FS & WW Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 23) -- The U23 World Championships enters day five with two Freestyle weight classes -- 74kg and 92kg and three in women's wrestling -- 53kg, 59kg and 62kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

14:40: European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) finds a way to beat Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) in the final 40 seconds. Kolawale was lead 3-0 but Bondar with two different takedowns to win 4-3.

14:30: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) seems to be unbothered by the weight change as he puts on a clinic to win his 74kg quarterfinals against Mohammad BAKHSHI (JPN), 11-0. Aoyagi now into the semifinals

14:25: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) puts Iran in the semifinals after a technical superiority win over Joshua BARR (USA). Azimi led 1-1 on criteria but Barr began the second period with a takedown. But Azimi kept the pressure and scored a takedown, and used a high gut-wrench to score five turns and complete a 13-3 win and advance to the 92kg semifinals

14:20: There is no way 

14:15: Mukhamed KHANIEV (AZE) with a 10-0 victory over SACHIN (IND) and move into the semifinals at 92kg. Khaniev with three go-behinds before launching a big throw and turn to win via technical superiority.

14:10: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) with another technical superiority win as he beats Omar MOURAD (EGY), 12-2, to enter the 74kg semifinals.

14:00: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) and Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) face-off in the quarterfinals at 74kg. Both wrestlers exchange takedowns with Asluev leading 2-2 on criteria. Khaniev gets on a leg attack and manages to trip Asluev without control. It is, however, scored two points for Khaniev which gives him a 4-2 lead. Asluev manages to leg attack Khaniev but no points as both wrestlers go out of bounds in par terre. Bahrain challenges the call but it is lost, giving a 5-2 lead to Khaniev. Khaniev gets hit with caution and one point for fleeing, and the bout resumes in par terre. Asluev was about to turn Khaniev but loses his grip and Khaniev gets the two points for exposure which is also his winning points in his 7-3 win

13:35: SARIKA (IND) with a late takedown against Alexis JANIAK (USA) to clinch a 6-4 victory in their 59kg bout. Sarika set up Janiak a couple of times but failed to finish until the final takedown which resulted in victory. 

13:30: Returning silver medalist Ruka NATAMI (JPN) got a solid challenge from Olivia LICHTI (CAN) in her opening 59kg bout. Natami managed to counter Licthi's attacks and score her points in the 8-1 win but Litchi can be proud of her world debut

13:15: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) books a spot in quarterfinals at 92kg against Joshua BARR (USA) after an 8-1 victory over Sadig MUSTAFAZADE (AZE). Big four pointer for Azimi in that win.

12:50: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) with a quick takedown and turn to lead 4-1 against SAVITA (IND) after being put on activity clock in the 62kg match. Savit starts the second period with a takedown to  make the score 4-3. Bondar defends that lead for the last two minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.

12:45: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) gets his double-leg attacks to win his 1/8 finals against PARVINDER (IND), 10-0, at 74kg. He finished with a lace turn to get the last two points.

12:30: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Ion MARCU (MDA), 11-5, at 74kg. Asluev moves into the quarterfinals and keeps Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW) alive

12:25: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) with some masterful defense against Grigor CHOLAKYAN (ARM) and he scores on counters to beat the Armenian 14-5. Khaniev now in the quarterfinals.

12:20: Moving into the next round of 74kg bouts and we have world champion Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) doing what he does best. He beats Baitemir TULEBERDIEV (KGZ) 11-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), chasing a historic gold to complete the Golden Grand Slam, begins with a fall over world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) at 62kg.

11:30: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) upsets U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) at 92kg. Mix of stepouts and takedowns in his 7-1 victory.

11:15: U20 world champion and senior European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) involved in a little heated match. Bondar wanted twice for aggressive fouls but she manages to beat Ilyasoglu via fall at 62kg.

10:55: Former U20 world champion Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) begins his chase for a first world U23 title with a 12-2 win over Aliaksandr HULNIK (UWW) at 74kg.

U23 World Championships 74kg

10:50: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), world champion at 70kg, makes his debut at 74kg at the U23 World Championships. He begins slow but manages to up the pace in the second period and beat Petar PETKOV (BUL), 10-0.

10:40: Muhammed OZMUS (TUR) has pulled off a mini upset at 74kg as he beats Manuel WAGIN (GER), 10-2, two chest wrap attempts from Wagin costed him eight points and one for the lost challenge in that defeat.

10:30: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) has more steady start at 74kg. He starts with a 10-0 controlled win against Georgios IOAKEIMIDIS (GRE). Khaniev will now be the favorite to reach the final from top half of that bracket.

10:20: We are off to very unexpected start at 74kg. Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW), one of the favorites for gold at 74kg, goes down 3-3 against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in the opening bout. He led 3-0 but Asluev tied it in the second period, taking a criteria lead. He defended the lead to win.

10:00: The fifth day in Novi Sad can witness history. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is chasing the gold and join the elite group of wrestlers to win all world titles and the Olympic gold medal.