#ChinaOpen2018

World Champion Mukaida Headlines Day One China Open Finals

Friday, June 22, 2018 - 07:02 By Eric Olanowski

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TAIYUAN, China (June 22) – China, Japan, and Russia each qualified three wrestlers for the opening day finals at the China Open, United World Wrestling's third Ranking Series event of the year. Romania’s world finalist Alina VUC (ROU) claimed the tenth and final spot in the day one finals at the Shanxi Sports Center in Taiyuan, China. 

The top match-up of Friday night’s finals comes at 55kg where Japan’s 2016 world champion Mayu MUKAIDA will take on China’s 2018 Ivan Yarygin champion, ZHANG Qi.

Zhang finished the morning session with two wins, including a knockoff win over Korea’s fifth-ranked OH Hyemin who was the silver medalist at this year's Asian Championships. 

Another gold-medal match-up to keep an eye on is the 57kg championship bout between second ranked RONG Ningning (CHN) and Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS).

Rong, who is making her third finals appearance of the year will look to remain unblemished after capturing gold medals at the Ivan Yarygin and Asian Championships. Rong also went undefeated at the 2018 World Cup. 

The Chinese wrestler will have her hands full with Russia's Mongolia Open third-place finisher Olga Khoroshavtseva. In her opening round match-up, Khoroshavtseva picked up a 9-7 come-from-behind win after trailing Romania's Katerina ZHYDACHEVSKA 7-0 in the first period. She followed up that first round win with a 10-0 routing of Korea's UM JiEun. 

The finals are expected to begin shortly after the opening ceremony which begins at 6:00 PM local time. 

#ChinaOpen2018 Medal Match-ups 
50kg 
GOLD – Alina VUC (ROU) vs. ZHU Jiang (CHN) 

BRONZE - Aktenge KEUNIMYAEVA (UZB) vs. Dauletbike YAKHSHIMURATOVA (UZB) 

53kg 
GOLD – Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) vs. YUI MIYAHARA (JPN) 

BRONZE – PANG Qianyu (CHN) vs. LOU Lannuan (CHN) 
BRONZE – Mercedesz DENES (HUN) vs. LIU Yujiao (CHN) 

55kg 
GOLD – ZHANG Qi (CHN) vs. Mayu MAKAIDA (JPN) 

BRONZE – OH Hyemin (KOR) vs. Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) 
BRONZE – Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) vs. OUYANG Junling (CHN) 

57kg
GOLD – RONG Ningning (CHN) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) 

BRONZE – Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU) vs. UM Jieun (KOR)  

59kg
GOLD – Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) vs. Yuzuru KUMANO (JPN) 

BRONZE – Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. WANG Yuan (CHN) 
BRONZE – SUN Xinyuan (CHN) vs. ZHANG Yue (CHN) 

UWW Statement on 2026 World Championships

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 02:19 By United World Wrestling Press

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Joint Statement from United World Wrestling, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 22) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), in close coordination with the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation, announces the postponement of the 2026 World Championships originally scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 1 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This decision has been made after careful and responsible consideration of the current geopolitical situation in the region, particularly the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pending conflict involving the Gulf region and its broader impact on regional stability and international travel. While Bahrain remains fully committed to hosting world-class sporting events, all parties believe that the safety, confidence, and overall experience of athletes, officials, delegations, partners, and fans must remain the highest priority.

As organizations dedicated to the growth and integrity of international sport, UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation believe it is important to make this decision with adequate time and transparency, rather than waiting until the final stages of preparation. Acting responsibly now allows sufficient opportunity to evaluate a potential new host nation for 2026, so the competition host can be identified and the event can be prepared in a professional and orderly manner.

Wrestling has always been more than competition. It is a bridge between nations, cultures, and people. At a time when the world faces uncertainty and division, we are reminded that sport remains a universal language of peace, respect, and unity. It is in this spirit that UWW, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Wrestling Federation issue this joint statement together.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the global wrestling family -- athletes, national federations, coaches, officials, partners, and supporters around the world -- for their understanding, solidarity, and continued support. United World Wrestling works with the national members in close cooperation, trust, and shared commitment to protecting the interests of the sport and its community worldwide.

Further updates regarding future dates and hosting considerations will be communicated in due course.