#OffTheMat

Medet Kyzy on Tynybekova's impact on her career & the rise to superstardom

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 - 14:38 By Eric Olanowski

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COSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 26) -- Despite only being 23-years-old, Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is one of the most famous women's wrestlers in the world and is already being looked at as a favorite to win a 76kg medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

After an unbelievable fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Medet Kyzy closed out the year with gold at the U23 World Championships and a bronze at the Senior World Championships. She's carried her hot streak into 2021, winning gold at the Asian Championships and the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event.

After storming her way to Ranking Series gold in Istanbul, Medet Kyzy sat down with United World World Wrestling to talk about life outside the mat. She spoke out about what she likes to do when she's not wrestling, why and how she got into wrestling and the massive impact women's wrestling Kyrgyz legend Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA has had on her career.

#BeachWrestling

Sakurai swaps mat for sand, wins Beach Wrestling gold

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 09:01 By Vinay Siwach

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TOKYO (May 13) -- Paris Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) made a return to competition for the first time since August last year. However, it was not on the mat.

Sakurai, who won gold medal at 57kg in Paris, returned to compete in beach wrestling. She wrestled at the Japan Beach Wrestling National Team Qualifying Tournament held in Tachikawa, Tokyo on Sunday and won gold at 60kg

"It may sound strange for me to say it, but I felt that I was suited to it," Sakurai was quoted by Japan Olympic Committee.

Sakurai, who is not entered for the June 19-22 Meiji Cup, Japan's qualifying tournament for the World Championships in September, is now qualified to compete for Japan in Beach Wrestling this year.

"Since I am qualified for the international tournament, I will try to participate," she said. "I want to be number one. I'll practice on the sandy beaches of Kochi [Prefecture]."

The three-time world champion, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the mat soon.

"I am still practicing on the mat and when I feel like I am ready, I will be back on the mat," she said.