#MidYearReview

#MidYearReview: Top seven wrestling upsets of 2022

By Eric Olanowski

COSIER-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 21) --- We've witnessed unimaginable upsets through the first seven months of the season and have them all in one place.

Here are UWW's Top Seven Upsets of 2022 (so far):
1. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET ?? df. Mohammadreza GERAEI ??
2. Lais NUNES ?? df. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA ?? 
3. Beka KANDELAKI ?? df. Riza KAYAALP ?? 
4. Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI ?? df. Bajrang BAJRANG ??
5. Alla BELINSKA ?? vs. Irina RINGACI ?? 
6. Givi MATCHARASHVILI ?? df. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV ?? 
7. Yelena MAKOYED ?? df. Epp MAE ??

Here's the playlist to watch all seven of the biggest upsets from 2022 -> FULL PLAYLIST OF MATCHES

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.