#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 U17 European Championships

Watch U17 European Championships Live Streaming: Results, Brackets, Videos

Monday, May 11, 2026 - 07:28 By United World Wrestling Press

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (May 11) -- The U17 European Championships will be held in Samokov, Bulgaria from May 11 to 17. How to watch the wrestling live stream of tournament?

To watch the U17 European Wrestling Championships, subscribe to UWW+ on uww.org here.

UWW Plus

Full Schedule: 2026 U17 European Wrestling Championships

May 11 (Monday)

Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds (10:30 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg
Greco-Roman Semifinals (18:00 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg

May 12 (Tuesday)

Greco-Roman Repechage (10:30 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg
Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds (10:30 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg
Greco-Roman Semifinals (17:00 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg\
Greco-Roman Finals (18:00 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg

May 13 (Wednesday)

Greco-Roman Repechage (10:30 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg
Women's Wrestling Qualification Rounds (10:30 onwards): 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg, 73kg
Women's Wrestling Semifinals (17:00 onwards): 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg, 73kg
Greco-Roman Finals (18:00 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg

May 14 (Thursday)

Women's Wrestling Repechage (10:30 onwards): 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg, 73kg
Women's Wrestling Qualification Rounds (10:30 onwards): 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg, 69kg
Women's Wrestling Semifinals (17:00 onwards): 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg, 69kg
Women's Wrestling Finals (18:00 onwards): 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg, 73kg

May 15 (Friday)

Women's Wrestling Repechage (10:30 onwards): 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg, 69kg
Freestyle Qualification (10:30 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg
Freestyle Semifinals (17:00 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg
Women's Wrestling Finals (18:00 onwards): 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg, 69kg

May 16 (Saturday)

Freestyle Repechage (10:30 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg
Freestyle Qualification Rounds (10:30 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg
Freestyle Semifinals (17:00 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg
Freestyle Finals (18:00 onwards): 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg, 110kg

May 17 (Sunday)

Freestyle Repechage (16:30 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg
Freestyle Finals (18:00 onwards): 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg, 92kg

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