World Grappling Championships, #Grappling

Three golds for U.S. in women's Grappling World Championships

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 - 09:56 By Vinay Siwach

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WARSAW, Poland (August 23) -- The United States put on a dominant performance in the women's Grappling competition at the World Championships in Warsaw, entering six grapplers in six finals.

With three winning gold and three silver medals, the U.S. won the team title with 115 points while host nation Poland finished second as it won one gold and two silver medals for 75 points. Spain with its three bronze medals managed 51 points to finish third in the team race.

The session began with Faye CHERRIER (USA) upsetting European champion Pnina ARONOV (ISR), 4-2, in the 53kg gold medal bout. Aronov pulled Cherrier down but it was the American who controlled and scored the two points.

Aronov tried different submissions but Cherrier got out of the lock with ease. A point was awarded to Aronov as Cherrier stalled and a scramble led the two grapplers out of bounds. Resuming in neutral, Cherrier landed another takedown with control to lead 4-1 and was cautioned for one more point but that did not harm her chances to win 4-2.

Alexandria ENRIQUEZ (USA) continued the streak as she defeated returning bronze medalist Adrianna WOJARSKA (POL), 8-0, in the 58kg final. Opening the scoring with a stepout, Enriquez controlled a takedown behind the arms to add two more points. Never letting go of her grip, Enriquez scored exposure and controlled two blank Wokarska 8-0 in the final.

Meshy ROSENFELD (ISR) denied the U.S. three out of three gold medals as she defeated Sheliah LINDSEY (USA), 7-6, in a thrilling final at 64kg.

Rosenfeld began at the bottom and Lindsey scored two points early in the final. But the Israel grappler reversed and controlled for a brief second, enough to get two points. Lindsey instantly got control on top and led 4-2. Locking Lindsey's leg, Rosenfeld got on top and was awarded two points with 50 seconds left on the clock.

Lindsey scored two points by getting on top again to lead 6-4 with 35 seconds left in the match. Rosenfeld gave it a last shot, locking Lindsey's legs and rolling to get the top position. Lindsey lost balance and gave up two points which made Rosenfeld a 6-6 winner on criteria. The U.S. challenged the call but lost.

Former European medalist Magdalena LOSKA (POL) won by submission over Christina HANSEN (USA) to give the host country a gold medal at 71kg.

Tara WHITE (USA) won a bronze medal last year but upgraded to gold this year, beating Janina CZYCZYN (POL), 6-2, in the 90kg and ended the day on a high for the United States.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Faye CHERRIER (USA) df. Pnina ARONOV (ISR), 4-2

BRONZE: Zhanna KASKINOVA (KAZ) df. Martyna IWAT (POL), 2-0
BRONZE: Carlota PRENDES (ESP) df. Maria RATCLIFF (PHI), 8-2

58kg
GOLD: Alexandria ENRIQUEZ (USA) df. Adrianna WOJARSKA (POL), 8-0

BRONZE: Janette GLOGER (GER) df. Botakoz YELDOSKYZY (KAZ), 7-2
BRONZE: Melissa BENEDINI (ITA) df. Tina BARANTAR (GRE), via submission (0-2)

64kg
GOLD: Meshy ROSENFELD (ISR) df. Sheliah LINDSEY (USA), 7-6

BRONZE: Janine MUTTON (CAN) df. Julija STOLIARENKO (LTU), via submission (2-0)
BRONZE: Anna CASTELLS (ESP) df. Snezhana MORAR (UKR), 0-0

71kg
GOLD: Magdalena LOSKA (POL) df. Christina HANSEN (USA), via submission (1-3)

BRONZE: Alycia QUENEE (FRA) df. Giulia RODIO (ITA), via submission (2-0)

90kg
GOLD: Tara WHITE (USA) df. Janina CZYCZYN (POL), 6-2

BRONZE: Claudia FORNES (ESP) df. Magdalena ZASZCZUDLOWICZ (POL), 11-1
BRONZE: Tammy GRIEGO (USA) df. Assel KABDYGALYMOVA (KAZ), via submission (6-0)

#JapanWrestling

I Want to Win Second Olympic Gold at LA 2028: Higuchi

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 10:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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TOKYO (May 22) -- Paris Olympic champion at 57kg Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) returned to competition for the 2026 Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in Tokyo. After reaching the 61kg final on Saturday, Higuchi defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the gold medal bout.

Normally, the two should have wrestle off to earn a spot on the Japan team for the 2026 World Championships. However, Higuchi withdrew from the play-off to everyone's surprise. He later talked to the press. Excerpts:

UWW Plus

-- On withdrawing from World Championships wrestle-off against Hasegawa

Higuchi: In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]. There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles. Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

-- On his performance at the Meiji Cup

Higuchi: I tried various new takedowns, and I was able to apply pressure in the clinch as well. I think it went pretty well, more or less. There was one throw I felt I could have executed better, and there were a few other areas where I wanted to finish things off more decisively. I guess there’s a mix of things to reflect on and things that went well. It feels like a bit of a mixed bag. 

-- On his return after 21 months since 2024 Paris Olympics

Higuchi: It was definitely fun. It was my first match in a long time, so I was really excited and nervous, but I’m not the type to feel too much pressure. Even as an Olympic champion, how should I put it?, I’m sure there were people hoping for an upset, but whether I win or lose, the fact that I’m an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t change. So in that sense, I was able to let go of the pressure and really enjoy the wrestling.

-- On his physical health

Higuchi: In the first match, I definitely felt like my legs were really heavy. It had been a while since my last match, and it had been a while since I’d reduce weight too. There were moments where I wondered, “Is this really okay?” But by the second match, the semifinal, I was gradually finding my rhythm and moving well. I really feel it was great that I was able to compete once six months ago, rather than starting all of a sudden this December.

-- On any improvements for future

Higuchi: First of all, I need to build a body that’s properly suited for the 57kg weight class. It’s been a while since I’ve competed, so I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped. I think if I refocus and tighten up my game, I’ll be able to deliver an even better performance. I really want to get back to training soon. It was so much fun. It’s been a while, but I feel like I can pull off all sorts of new moves and do so much more, so I’m eager to get back to training. 

-- On motivation for LA 2028

Higuchi: There’s only one person in the history of Japanese wrestling [Freestyle] who has won back-to-back Olympic gold medals. My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. In terms of records. There are many great predecessors, but I want to break their records. I want to become the kind of figure where people say, “Rei Higuchi was the strongest in Japanese wrestling history.”

I want to wrap things up by winning two consecutive gold medals in Los Angeles.