#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo Day Five Preview: WW 57kg, 59kg, 68kg and 72kg

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - 16:26 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 22) -- Newly crowned Olympic champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) used part of her bonuses from winning the gold medal in Tokyo to outfit her mother, an expert cook, with a flashy, fully furnished food truck.

Mensah Stock will now be leaping from the frying pan of the Olympics into the fire of the World Championships as she aims to defend her title in the women's 68kg class, which gets underway Oct. 6 along with three other women's divisions.

The Olympic weight class of 57kg will also get started, featuring Tokyo bronze medalists Helen MAROULIS (USA) and Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL), as well as the non-Olympic weights of 59kg and 72kg.

Mensah Stock is confident she can maintain the intensity that propelled her to the top of the podium in her Olympic debut as she makes the three-month turnaround to get ready for Oslo.

"It's definitely hard physically and mentally, just to get back on the mat...to get back on that train and really prepare yourself for the fact that the World Championships are just around the corner from the Olympics," Mensah Stock commented in an interview by email.

"But at the same time, it's a competition, just like the Ranking Series competitions, and you know, any other competition. We have them once a month anyway, so we're already equipped for what was about to happen."

Handling pressure, she says, it's part of the job.

"Yes, the Olympics were extremely high mentally on pressure, but at the same time, we're wrestlers and we're equipped and prepared for the hardest battles."

Mensah Stock, who will turn 29 four days after the medal matches on Oct. 7, said she had always planned to defend the world title that she won for the first time in 2019 in Nur-Sultan.


Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) celebrates winning the 68kg Olympic gold. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Adding Olympic champion to her resume brings with it added pressure, but the vivacious Chicago-born, Texas-raised Mensah Stock is maintaining the same bring-it-on attitude.

"I like to consider myself someone that is always improving so I don't want to feel the pressure," she wrote. "I'm here, enjoying the fact that I'm wrestling by the grace of God...I am just here to wrestle and wrestle the best that I can."

She's been doing that quite well since starting the sport in high school after reportedly being bullied on the athletics team. She continued the sport at Wayland Baptist University, winning two national championships.

On the global stage, Mensah Stock found her way onto numerous podiums, but missed out on the 2016 Rio Olympics and lost in the third round in her debut at the World Championships in 2017.

Her breakthrough came in 2018, when she won a bronze medal at the Budapest worlds, which she followed up with a dominant performance the following year at Nur-Sultan to secure spot at the Olympics for the U.S. That included a one-sided victory over Rio gold medalist Sara DOSHO (JPN) -- which she would repeat at the Tokyo Olympics.

The top candidates to knock Mensah Stock off her lofty perch in Oslo are 2018 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) and Tokyo silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

Larroque, who beat Mensah Stock in the 2018 world semifinals, saw her Olympic dream shattered in a stunning first-round loss to Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL). Larroque was leading 3-0 when the Mongolian clamped her in a headlock and recorded a fall with 19 seconds left.

Heading into Tokyo, Larroque was coming off victories at the European Championships and Poland Open. She will be looking to add the senior title to the two world junior crowns she won in 2016 and 2018, as well as the 2017 world U23 gold.

Oborududu, a 10-time African champion, gave Mensah Stock a run for her money in the Olympic final but came out on the short end of a 4-1 decision. That was a near repeat of the American's 6-1 win in their first-round clash at the 2019 worlds.

Zhumanazarova joined 62kg silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) as the first female Olympic medalists in any sport in Kyrgyzstan history, and the 2019 world junior silver medalist would love nothing more than to join her esteemed compatriot as a world champion.

With none of Japan's Olympians making the trip to Oslo, 2020 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix silver medalist Rin MIYAJI (JPN) will be making her world debut after beating 2019 world junior champion Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) in a playoff to make the Japanese team.


Helen MAROULIS (USA) is on a quest to win a third world title and first since the '17 Paris World Championships. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, the absence of two-time Olympic and three-time world champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) opens the door for 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist Maroulis to make a bid for a third world title and first since 2017.

After famously denying Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) what would have been a historic fourth Olympic gold medal by beating her in the 53kg final in Rio, Maroulis was hampered by injury problems, including serious concussions, over the ensuing years.

But she came back strong in 2020 and qualified for Tokyo, where she lost a close 2-1 decision in the semifinals to Kawai, the Rio champ at 63kg. Coming away with a bronze was far from disappointing, given the inner strength she showed along the difficult path to get there.

"As humans, we are so powerful, but we are so fragile and so vulnerable," she said in an interview with Hollywood Life. "It really helped me tap into ‘human-ness.' It’s been a really beautiful journey.”

Nikolova, a 2015 world bronze medalist at 55kg, walked away with the other bronze with a victory by fall over 2016 Olympic silver medalist Valeria KOBLOVA (RWF). Along with Maroulis, Koblova was one of only three non-Japanese who had ever beaten Yoshida (Marcie van Dusen (USA) was the other).

In place of Koblova, the Russian Wrestling Federation has sent Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF), who will certainly have something to prove in Oslo. She was the one who actually earned the spot in Tokyo at the final world qualifying tournament in Sofia that eventually went to Koblova. A month earlier, she won a silver medal at 59kg at the European Championships.

Never to be counted out is African star Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR), the 2019 world bronze medalist and 2018 silver medalist who will be looking to make amends for a disastrous showing in Tokyo.

Adekuoroye, who had whipped Maroulis 13-0 at the Poland Open in June, stormed to an 8-0 lead in her first-round match against Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), only to get caught in a lapse and lose by fall. Her medal hopes ended when Nichita lost her next match.

The absense of Kawai doesn't mean there won't be a formidable Japanese presence at 57kg. Sae NANJO (JPN), who completed a world junior and U23 double in 2019, has stepped into the void and is ready to make the most of her first shot at a senior world title.

It was the 22-year-old Nanjo who kept the high-profile clash between Rio Olympic champions Kawai and Kaori ICHO (JPN) for the Tokyo Olympic spot at 57kg from becoming a two-woman affair. In the final domestic qualifier, she nearly stole the spotlight when she lost a 3-3 thriller to Icho in the semifinals.

Nanjo, a product of the JOC Elite Academy and current student at powerhouse Shigakkan University, has yet to lose internationally on the senior level, winning at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix and Asian Championships in 2017 before taking the two age-group crowns in 2019.

Also worth watching are a pair of newly crowned world junior champions, Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) and Alesia HETMANAVA (BLR). The latter triumphed at 55kg in Ufa, Russia.


European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) heads into the World Championships as one the 59kg favorites. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

At 59kg, the field is wide open with neither reigning champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) nor any of the other 2019 world medalists making the trip to Oslo. On paper, the ones to watch appear to be Nichita and Akie HANAI (JPN), both of whom have won world titles on the age group level.

The 22-year-old Nichita finished seventh after suffering a heartbreaking loss of her own in the quarterfinals, and will be looking to make amends in her second trip to the senior worlds and become Moldova's first-ever female medalist.

The 2020 European gold medalist was the 2019 world U23 silver medalist and a world junior finalist for three straight years, sandwiching a gold in 2018 with silvers in 2017 and 2019.

Nichita's Olympic dream ended in stunning fashion. After her win over Odekuoroye, she had the tables turned on her by Nikolova, who hit a last-second 4-point lateral drop for a 6-3 victory in the quarterfinals.

Hanai will be making her senior world debut, having previously won the 2019 world junior title at 57kg and finished second at the 2018 world U23 at 59kg.

The 21-year-old Hanai earned her ticket to Oslo by winning the two national championships that serve as domestic qualifiers. In her corner at each tournament was Kawai, whom Hanai helped prepare for her gold-medal run at the Tokyo Olympics as her training partner.

Hanai is currently a student at Shigakkan, where alumnus Kawai still trains. She said that working out with the now two-time Olympic champion has taught her not only about techniques, but about handling the pressure of matches and daily life.

"She has let me be her partner for a long time and by always practing with her, it has brought me to where I am today," Hanai said after her victory at the All-Japan Invitiational Championships in May. "I felt pressure for this tournament, but it's nothing like the Olympic Games."

Hanai will be familiar with another contender in Grace BULLEN (NOR), the world U23 champion in 2018. That year, Bullen defeated Hanai in the final at the 2018 Klippan Lady.

Since then, Bullen won the Klippan again and captured the European title at 57kg in 2020, adding to her continental gold from 2017.   

Others to watch are Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL), who placed fifth at the Tokyo Olympics at 57kg; European champion and 2018 world silver medalist Bilyana  DUDOVA (BUL); double Asian champion Sarita SARITA (IND) and 2019 European silver medalist Svetlana LIPATOVA (RWF).


Masako FURUCHI (JPN) will look to add a senior world title to a stcked resume that includes cadet, junior and U23 world titles. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

At 72kg, 2019 world bronze medalist Masako FURUCHI (JPN) is in position to become the second Japanese to complete the world "grand slam" by adding a senior gold to her cadet, junior and U23 titles.

"I went to the World Championshps in 2019 in the same weight class and I finished in third place," Furuichi said after securing her ticket to Oslo with a victory at the All-Japan Invitational. "This time I will fight hard to become champion."

Furuichi, also a product of the JOC Elite Academy, twice came up short in a bid to make the Tokyo Olympics, first at 76kg and then at 68kg, before returning to her niche weight of 72kg.

"Up to two years ago, I faced the top wrestlers as I tried to make it to the Tokyo Olympics, and I want to make use of what I gained from that experience," she said. "I want to win the world title and have that lead to the next step."

The 24-year-old Furuichi, a two-time Asian medalist, was slated to be on the Japan squad to this year's continental championships in Almaty, but the women's team was withdrawn due to exposure to a person infected with the coronavirus.

About two months after taking a bronze medal at the 2019 senior worlds, Furuichi dropped down to 68kg and won the world U23 gold in Budapest, putting her a step closer to joining Haruna OKUNO (JPN) as the only wrestlers with world golds in the four age groups. Furuichi has already made history by winning three straight world titles both as a cadet in 2011-2013 and a junior in 2014-2016."

With none of the other 2019 medalists in the field, leading the opposition aiming to deny Furuichi a place in history will be Anna SCHELL (GER), a 2019 world bronze medalist at 68kg who placed eighth in that division at the Tokyo Olympics.

Schell, the 2019 European silver medalist, showed she can take it up a notch when she defeated former champion Dosho in the bronze-medal match at the 2019 worlds in Nur-Sultan.

Others expected to be in contention are European silver medalist Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), the 2020 Individual World Cup champion who finished fifth at 65kg in Nur-Sultan; three-time Asian medalist Zhamila BAKBERGEANOVA (KAZ); and a pair of world junior medalists this year, 76kg champion Kylie WELKER (USA) and 68kg bronze medalist Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK).

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Preview, Novi Sad

Friday, October 17, 2025 - 08:52 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

Share this article

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 16) -- The eighth edition of the U23 World Championships will kick off in Novi Sad, Serbia on October 20 with 700 wrestlers competing in the eighth-day tournament.

Over the years, the U23 World Championships has grown into one of the most competitive tournaments for United World Wrestling. The Novi Sad edition will be no different.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

Two Paris Olympic champions, multiple Zagreb World Championships medalists and a hosts of age-group world champions are headed to the Serbian city with an aim to win at the final World Championships of the 2025 season.

Women's Wrestling

The women's spotlight in Novi Sad, Serbia, will shine brightest on two of Japan's Paris Olympic gold medalists, who have different objectives besides just adding another title to their long list of laurels.

For Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), the tournament will mark her international debut and first major test at 57kg after making the move up from 53kg, where she won senior world titles in 2021 and 2023. Compatriot Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) will be aiming for a victory at 62kg that would earn her a place in one of wrestling's most unique groups.

Motoki is the lone champion and one of four medalists from last month's senior worlds in Zagreb, Croatia, who will be taking the mat in Novi Sad. With a victory, she would join Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA) as the lone members of the “Golden Grand Slam” club for those with gold medals on the Olympic, senior world and all three world age-group levels.

The other medalists from Zagreb are Nesrin BAS (TUR), who finished second at 72kg but has moved down to 68kg, and bronze medalists Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) at 72kg and Kylie WELKER (USA) at 76kg.

Bas will also be aiming to improve on the silver medal that she took home from last year's U23 worlds in Tirana, Albania. A total of 12 medalists are returning, including reigning 62kg champion Irina BONDAR (UKR) and Welker, who won the 72kg title in 2024.

Here's a look at the ones to watch in each weight class:

50kg: With nemesis Umi ITO (JPN) sitting out, Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) looks primed to finally make it to the top of the podium after finishing second four times on the age-group level, most recently at the World U20 Championships two months ago in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Jimenez lost to Ito in the finals at both the 2023 world U23 and 2022 world U20. She also finished second at the world U20 in 2023.

Japan will be represented by Minoriho YONEHARA (JPN), a recent Shigakkan University graduate and relatively global newcomer who finished second to Ito at the Japan Queen’s Cup, the Japanese qualifier for Novi Sad.

Others to watch will be European U23 champion and last year’s silver medalist Natalia PUDOVA (UWW); and Munkhgerel MUNKHBAT (MGL), who already has two world age-group medals.

53kg: European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), a bronze medalist two years ago at 50kg, and returning silver medalist Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN) head a wide-open field in this division.

Haruna MORIKAWA (JPN), the 2024 world U20 silver medalist, won out at the Japan Queen's Cup that saw the fall of defending world U23 champion Yu SAKAMOTO (JPN) and can’t be overlooked.

Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) won Asian bronze medals this year on both the senior and U23 levels, and will be aiming for her first world medal in 11 appearances on all levels. Her best finish was fifth at the 2023 U23 worlds.

Also expected to be in the mix are Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR), a bronze medalist last year at 50kg; two-time European U23 bronze medalist Viktoriya VOLK (UWW); and European U23 silver medalist Ekaterina KARPUSHKINA (UWW).

55kg: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) may still be feeling the sting of missing out on the senior worlds after losing out at 53kg to Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), who went on to win the gold. So expect little mercy for her opponents as she aims for a second career world U23 gold.

Last year, Kiyooka joined the basic Grand Slam club by winning the senior gold at 55kg, to go with her U17 (2019) and U20 and U23 (2022) titles. She has looked vulnerable of late, having lost in the senior Asian final to Hyongyong CHOE (PRK), but should not encounter too much trouble at this level.

The main opposition should come from European U23 champion Tuba DEMIR (TUR), who has a pair of world U20 bronzes to her credit from 2022 and 2024; Asian U23 silver medalist Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ), a senior Asian bronze medalist in 2024; and 2024 world U20 champion Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA).

57kg: Can anyone stop the Fujinami juggernaut? The best of the rest appears to be Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) and Neha SHARMA (IND).

Khomenets has won the majority of her laurels at 55kg, where she took a bronze medal at the European Championships this year and was the 2022 silver medalist and 2021 bronze medalist at the senior worlds. She also was a world U23 and U20 bronze medalist last year.

Sharma, this year's Asian U20 champion and U23 silver medalist, was a bronze medalist at last year's U23 worlds, a year after taking the silver at 55kg. She also finished fifth in 2023 at 55kg at the senior worlds.

Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a bronze medalist at this year's Budapest Ranking Series, won bronzes at both the senior Asian and Asian U23 in 2023, and was the world U20 champion in 2021. She holds the distinction of being the lone entry to have already faced Fujinami. They clashed in the second round at the 2018 U17 Asians, which Fujinami won by fall in 1:09.

59kg: Ruka NATAMI (JPN), who already has world U17 and U20 titles under her belt, will be aiming to add the U23 crown after having to settle for the silver last year at 57kg.

Natami can hold her own on the senior level, as she showed by winning at the Bucharest tournament in August, but just can't seem to break through and make the Japan squad to the big events. She relies on a power game that makes her dangerous in any situation, regardless of the score.

The field includes this year's U20 World Championships bronze medalist Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) who also won both the European U20 and U23 golds this year, as well as the Zagreb Ranking Series.

Also expected to make a challenge are 2023 senior world and European bronze medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR); and two-time Asian U23 bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB), who also has senior bronze medals from both the Asian Games and Asian Championships in 2023 at 57kg.

62kg: Motoki can expect to face legitimate threats in her historic quest for glory from reigning champion Bondar and young phenom SAVITA (IND).

Bondar, who also won the world U20 gold last year, captured both the senior and U23 European titles this year. She will be aiming to medal for the fourth straight year in Novi Sad, having also won silver medals in 2022 and 2023.

Savita is returning to the international stage after a two-year absence, where she hopes to restart a remarkable run of success. After winning both the world and Asian U17 titles in 2022, she repeated the feats in 2023 -- and added both the world and Asian U20 golds for good measure.

Others to watch are two-time world U23 bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR); and world U20 bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB), who also won her third straight Asian U20 bronze this year.

Kolawole faced Motoki in the quarterfinals at the senior worlds, with the Japanese coming away with a victory by fall. The Nigerian went on to place fifth.

65kg: Representing Japan in a thin field will be Nana IKEHATA (JPN), whose international resume may be slim but sports only gold -- the world U20 title last year to go with past triumphs at Asian U15 and U20.

Among the top challengers are Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (UWW), the 2023 world U20 silver medalist at 68kg who placed third in two Ranking Series events this year, and European U20 champion Beyza AKKUS (TUR), who might be relishing a chance to avenge her loss to Ikehata from the 2024 world U20 final.

Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), this year's world U20 silver medalist and European U20 champion, could also make waves, as well as Eniko ELEKES (HUN), this year's European U23 silver medalist and the 2023 world U20 champion at 62kg, and PULKIT (IND), the 2024 world U17 champion.

68kg: Bas will be aiming to regain the title that she won twice before, in 2022 and 2023, prior to losing in last year's final to Ami ISHII (JPN). Ishii, the world champion in Zagreb, will not be returning to defend her title, although she earned the right by winning the Japan qualifier.

Bas won the European U23 gold earlier this year, then moved up to 72kg and placed second at both the senior European and World Championships. She also has two world U20 bronzes from 2021 and 2022, and qualified for and competed at the Paris Olympics at 62kg.

Looking to deny the Turk will be world U20 silver medalist and SRISHTI (IND), who finished second at the U20 worlds at 68kg, adding to a bronze from 2024.

Also expected to be competitive are Alina SHEVCHENKO (UWW), the 2024 world and European U20 champion; two-time former world U23 bronze medalist Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR); and Viktoriya RADZKOVA (UWW), a world U23 bronze medalist a year ago at 72kg.

In Ishii's absence, Japan will send one of its most inexperienced competitors in Seia MOCHINAGA (JPN), who placed ninth at last year's U20 Worlds.

72kg: Last year's champion Welker has moved up to 76kg, opening the door for a potential showdown between senior world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) and 2024 senior Asian 65kg gold medalist Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN).

Nurtaeva, the 2022 world U20 silver medalist at 68kg, won a second straight Asian U23 title this year, and also has a silver medal from the 2023 Asian Games. For Yoshitake, this will be her first international foray at 72kg. She was the 2022 world U20 champion at 65kg.

Others to watch are Vianne ROULEAU (CAN), the losing finalist to Welker last year; Kristina BRATCHINKOVA (UWW), a bronze medalist at this year's U20 worlds; 2024 world U20 champion Jasmine ROBINSON (USA); and Yuqi LIU (CHN), who won a second straight world U20 silver this year, as well as a senior Asian silver.

76kg: Welker appears to be the one to beat in this division, although PRIYA (IND) and Elmira YASIN (TUR) can be expected to give her a run for her money.

Welker's list of laurels include winning a second straight senior world bronze in Zagreb as she moved back up to 76kg after spending most of 2024 at 72kg. She also won a first Pan Am gold in May. In 2021, she won the world U20 gold and a world U23 bronze.

Priya, the 2023 world U20 gold medalist and two-time world U17 champion, has had a busy year, highlighted by a silver medal at the U20 worlds. She also won the Asian U23 title, placed second at the Budapest Ranking Series, and finished fifth at the Zagreb senior worlds.

Yasin, a 2023 world U17 and 2024 world U20 bronze medalist, won the European U23 gold this year, although she relinquished the European U20 title that she won in 2024 and had to settle for a bronze.

Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW), a returning bronze medalist who took the silver at the Zagreb Ranking Series, will be a big test as well.

Freestyle

There is no dearth of big names in Freestyle as well. World champion Aoyagi will be making his 74kg debut internationally, just a month after winning 70kg gold in Zagreb. He will be joined by a few other world medalists in Levi HAINES (USA) at 79kg, Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg and Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) at 97kg.

Aoyagi will be hoping to get good results before he challenges the strong domestic field in the weight class at the All-Japan Championships in December.

Here's a look at the storylines in all the 10 weight classes:

57kg: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) will begin as the favorite with wrestlers from Iran, India and UWW as his main challengers. The U.S. wrestler has age-group world titles to his names but will be at his first U23 Worlds and is part of the formidable Penn State group heading to Novi Sad.

Lilledahl's quick attacks have troubled his opponents in the past but it will be a question of if he can break the defense of some experienced wrestlers.

Recent U20 world silver medalist Sumit MALIK (IND) will try to win a second straight medal at a World Championships. Malik's pace on the mat makes him stand out in the competition. Iran will be sending Asian silver medalist Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) who will try to win his first world medal. Aiandai ONDAR (UWW) and Yuta KIKUCHI (JPN) will be the dark horses of this weight class.

61kg: He was agonizingly close to winning a medal at the senior World Championships but Jax FORREST (USA) was denied in Zagreb. He will try to make up for that loss with a run in Novi Sad. The high-schooler has a bronze at U20 Worlds but after his performance in Zagreb, a medal in Novi Sad seems highly likely.

While gold will be in Forrest's sights, there will challenges from  former U17 world champion Fedor BALTUEV (UWW) who is returning to international competition after four years, U23 Asian silver medalist Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) and 2024 U17 world champion Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ).

65kg: In one of the toughest weight classes at the U23 level, world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), two-time world U20 champion Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN), world U20 champion Marcus BLAZE (USA), two-time world U23 champion Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW), returning medalist Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) and senior continental medalists Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) and SUJEET (IND) are in the field.

Jalolov, who struggled with form since 2022, has tried his luck at the U23 World Championships before but without any success. However, if he can replicate his run from Zagreb, Jalolov has the chance to change that. He managed to beat two-time U23 world champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) in the bronze medal bout.

There are several names which can stop Jalolov. Nishuchi will be one of them as he returns to the international scene after two years and first time at 65kg. He has titles at 57kg and 61kg and this will be a big test for him. Another wrestler moving up to 65kg is Magomedov who won his titles at 61kg. He will be trying to win another gold medal in a tougher weight class.

Blaze, who has only lost one bout in international career, will be among the favorites as well. He will be coming off his incredible performance at the U20 Worlds in which he won gold at 61kg. Sujeet impressed at his senior World Championships debut but failed to return with a medal.

70kg: PJ DUKE (USA) will look to complete the U20 and U23 world double as well. He had a good run in Zagreb before running out of steam. He will face competition from former U20 world champion Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), talented Iran wrestler Sina KHALILI (IRI), Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA), who Duke defeated in the final at the U20 Worlds.

While he seems ahead of everyone else in the field, Heybatov can trouble him with his crafty wrestling. Khalili will try to get those underhooks going while Gaidarli will look to avenge that loss from Samakov.

74kg: Can Aoyagi impress at international level in a new weight class? The question will soon be answered. Aoyagi's strength and stamina will be tested as he moves up from 70kg to 74kg.

There are established names like U23 world champion Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) who is also moving up to 74kg. U20 European champion Manuel WAGIN (GER), former U20 world champions Reza SHAKERI (IRI), Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) and Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW).

Khaniev won gold at 70kg but added a silver in Budapest at 74kg, losing to the now world champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) in the final. There is no doubt he will be favorite again along with Aoyagi.

Baitukaev will be strongly tested at the new weight classes in which he is yet to perform internationally. He has silver and bronze medals at the U20 Worlds from 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Another star will be Mesenbrink, who lost to Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) last year, with hopes of winning a world title again. Mesenbrink has all the skills to make the run to the title but will be tested by the strong bracket.

79kg: Levi HAINES (USA) surprised most with a silver medalist finish in Zagreb but there will be no surprise if he wins gold in Novi Sad. His main competitor will be U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI). While Haines is a solid wrestler, Yousefi can counter and score points when needed to keep the upper hand. If the two don't meet before the final, both Haines and Yousefi will leave it all on the mat to win the title.

Farid JABBAROV (AZE) and CHANDERMOHAN (IND) will look to finish on the podium as well.

86kg: An injury to his knee in Zagreb meant that Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) would return home without a medal. But the former U20 world champion will be going for his fourth U23 World Championships. He has never won a medal previously at this tournament but has the skills to finish on top.

World U20 silver medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) will be one of the biggest names to stop him. If Rahmani can work on his conditioning, the Iranian can land a gold medal for his country. The U.S. is sending Rocco WELSH (USA) while Arsen BALAIAN (UWW) and Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) will look to stop the two in Novi Sad.

92kg: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gave Uzbekistan a gold medal at the U20 World Championships in Samokov but the U23 level will be a little more challenging. The likes of Mobin AZIMI (IRI), Joshua BARR (USA) and Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW) are all skilled enough to claim the gold medal.

Azimi is one of the most talented wrestlers out there and after a brief stint at 97kg, Azimi will look to win another world title at 92kg. Barr is one of the strongest wrestlers at this weight class while U23 European champion Khaniev will look to add a world title to his name.

97kg: Two young stars Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) will lock horns at 97kg for a chance to win gold. Aitmukhan, a senior world champion at 92kg, did not win a medal in Zagreb but Yoshida, an Asian champion, won bronze. However, the two are equally matched and a thriller is on the cards if the two meet in Novi Sad.

Yoshida's conditioning may just give him an upper hand if he meets Aitmukhan on the mat. A medal in this weight class will be historic for Japan as the highest weight class it has won a medal at U23 Worlds history is at 86kg.

VICKY (IND), Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI) and Soslan DZHAGAEV (UWW) can finish on the podium as well but upsetting either of Yoshida or Aitmukhan will be an uphill task.

125kg: For the last five years, Iran has dominated this weight class especially with Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). But with Masoumi not entered anymore, the competition has been thrown wide open. U20 world silver medalist Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) will be a big favorite to win but so will be Khetag KARSANOV (AZE), U23 European champion Georgi IVANOV (BUL) and Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (UWW).

Greco-Roman

As if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) dominance at the age-group level was not enough, Iran will be bringing senior world champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) to the U23 World Championships.

Iran has been on an incredible run this year, winning team titles at U17, U20 and senior World Championships. Now, it will be the favorite to win the team title at the U23 Worlds as well.

But there will be names which can threaten to deny Iran in all weight classes. Here's a look at the 10 weight categories in Novi Sad:

55kg: Iran's young star and U17 world champion Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI), 18, will be leading the charge but how he adjusts to wrestlers who are way senior to him will be challenging. U23 Asian champion Yerassyl MAMYRBEKOV (KAZ) and U23 European champion Alibek AMIROV (UWW) will start as favorites in this weight class.

It also includes Zagreb Open champion and age-group world medalist Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) and experienced Denis MIHAI (ROU), who will be looking to add to his collection of medals.

60kg: Both the European and Asian U23 champions are entered at 60kg. Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) won the European title while Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) won in Asia. Both will look to add world medals to their names but it won't be easy. Former U20 world champion Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) and U23 European silver medalist Melkamu FETENE (ISR) are entered among others.

Japan's impressive wrestler Koto GOMI (JPN) and another of Uzbekistan's prodigy Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB) will be the dark horses of the competition.

63kg: World bronze medalist and U23 European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) will be looking for an U23 world medal to close out his incredible 2025 season. Given his stunning performance at the senior Worlds, he will start as the favorite in this weight class.

Silver to Eriomenco in U23 Euros and former champion Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) will be the Moldovan's big test at 63kg. Dordzhi SHUNGURTSIKOV (UWW), 2024 U20 European silver medalist, and U23 Asian silver medalist Khusniddin OLIMBOEV (UZB) will also be tough matches for any wrestler.

67kg: A phenom at the age-group World Championships, former U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) will be a favorite at U23 level as well. He also made his senior debut this year at Zagreb Open but finished fifth.

He will face stiff competition from senior world bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (UWW) who was impressive in Zagreb, an experience he will be keen to use in Novi Sad.

Other challengers include U20 World bronze medalist Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), U23 European champion Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO) and U23 Asian champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ).

72kg: U20 world champion Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) will be making his U23 debut at the World Championships which will be a different kind of challenge. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), European U23 champion, will be one of the biggest challengers along with U20 European champion Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and former Asian champion Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI).

77kg: European 72kg champion Levente LEVAI (HUN) has risen quickly through the ranks, winning the Zagreb Open gold along with the European gold. But he moved up to 77kg Budapest and won the bronze medal. He will continue his journey at 77kg in Novi Sad and look to win the title for Hungary.

Trying to stop him will be U20 Asian champion Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) and also European bronze medalist Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), who is also a two-time finalist at the U20 World Championships.

82kg: Former U23 world champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) will be making another run for the gold medal, this year at 82kg. He failed to win a medal at the senior World Championships in Zagreb at 77kg. However, the 82kg weight class will present its own challenges.

Age-group star and former European champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) will be returning from injury and look to win his first U23 world title. Berber has won the U17 and U20 world titles but has silver at the U23 level.

Returning silver medalist Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will also be in the mix and so will Gamzat GADZHIEV (UWW) and Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB).

87kg: World champion at 82kg Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) moves up to 87kg as Iran continues to churn out top level Greco wrestlers. Can Farokhi adjust to the new weight class? That will be a big question in a weight class that also has former age-group world champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and Deni NAKAEV (GER), U23 European silver medalist Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE ((FRA) and U23 Asian champion Maksat SAILAU (KAZ).

97kg: Two-time U20 world champion Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) will be going for his first world title at U23 level. He will have his nemesis Darius KIEFER (GER) in Novi Sad along with Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), who Yakushenko defeated in the final at the U20 Worlds.

Former U20 world champion and world bronze medalist Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (UWW) finished with a silver medal last year but will look to disturb the aforementioned trio to win gold.

Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ) has made the U23 Asian gold his own, winning it three times but has no medals at the Worlds. He will look to add one to his name and so would Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ), a senior Asian silver medalist.

130kg: Defending champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) is well clear of the field which has been made competitive with the entries of Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), a U20 world champion, age-group world champion Cemal BAKIR (TUR), former U20 world champ Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR), who won that gold in 2022 by beating Hedayati in the final.