#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.

2026 U20 European Championships

U20 European Wrestling Championships 2026: Watch Live Streaming, Full Schedule, Results

Saturday, July 4, 2026 - 09:31 By United World Wrestling Press

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SKOPJE, North Macedonia (July 4) -- The U20 European Wrestling Championships 2026 will kick off in Skopje, North Macedonia from July 6 to 12 at the Boris Trajkovski Sports Center.

The seven-day event will kick off with Greco-Roman, followed by Women's Wrestling before finishing with Freestyle. Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia will be the countries that will be bring some top teams to the event.

Results of U17 European Championships 2026 | Results of Senior European Championships 2026 | U20 Asian Championships 2026 Results | 2025 U20 European Championships Results

UWW+

How to Watch U20 European Wrestling Championships 2026 Live from Skopje: The live streaming of the U20 European Championships will be available on uww.org with UWW+ subscription. Subscribe to UWW+ and download the UWW app.

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U20 European Championships Entries | U20 European Wrestling Championships 2026 Results

WRESTLING SCHEDULE | NEWS | BRACKETS | TEAM RANKINGS | MEDAL SUMMARY | RESULTS

Full Schedule of U20 European Wrestling Championships 2026

Day 1 - July 6, Monday

Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds: 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Greco-Roman Semifinals: 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 2 - July 7, Tuesday

Greco-Roman Repechage: 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds: 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Greco-Roman Semifinals: 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg - 16:45 hours onwards
Greco-Roman Finals: 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 3 - July 8, Wednesday

Greco-Roman Repechages: 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Women's Wrestling Qualification Rounds: 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, 76kg - 10:30 hours
Women's Wrestling Semifinals: 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, 76kg - 16:45 hours onwards
Greco-Roman Finals: 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 4 - July 9, Thursday

Women's Wrestling Repechage: 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, 76kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Women's Wrestling Qualification Rounds: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Women's Wrestling Semifinals: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg - 16:45 hours onwards
Women's Wrestling Finals: 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, 76kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 5 - July 10, Friday

Women's Wrestling Repechage: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Freestyle Qualification Rounds: 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Freestyle Semifinals: 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg - 16:45 hours onwards
Women's Wrestling Finals: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 6 - July 11, Saturday

Freestyle Repechage: 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Freestyle Qualification Rounds: 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg - 10:30 hours onwards
Freestyle Semifinals: 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg - 16:45 hours onwards
Freestyle Finals: 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg - 18:00 hours onwards

Day 7 - July 12, Sunday

Freestyle Repechage: 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg - 16:30 hours onwards
Freestyle Finals: 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg - 18:00 hours onwards

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