World Championships Day 4: Women's Wrestling Highlights

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (October 27) -- The World Championships 2026 continues with Women's Wrestling introduced in four weight classes -- 50kg, 57kg, 65kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

14:17: Another heartbreak for the United States as Dymond GUILFORD (USA) gives up a takedown and turn in the final five seconds against Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg. She was leading 4-1 with 10 seconds remaining on the clock and that's when Alpyeyeva chases her and gets the takedown and exposure. The U.S. challenges but both moves are correct and in time, making Alpyeyeva's winning score 6-4

14:15: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) cuts it close again, as a counter lift for 2 in the final minute proves decisive in a 3-3 criteria win over Martina KUENZ (AUT) in their 76kg quarterfinal. In the second period, Medet Kyzy had just received the second activity point to lead 1-1 on criteria when the two go out of bounds together. The referee gives Medet Kyzy the point, but it is reversed on challenge and now she trails 2-1. With :42 left, she uses all of her power to get the counter lift. Kuenz gains a stepout at the buzzer, and it takes a moment for it to sink it that it still leaves her short.

14:14: Kadriye KOCAK AKSOY (TUR) and Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) put on 14 points in the first period with the Turkish wrestler winning 7-7 on criteria. However, the second period is way slower and Yerkebayeva is trying to find an opening. She is on the verge of forcing a steout but Aksoy hits a counter for four points to win 11-7

14:10: Teen KAJAL (IND), winner of the world U20 gold in August, comes from behind with a second-period spree to advance to the 76kg semifinals with 9-2 win over Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), the 2023 silver medalist at 72kg. Kajal trails 2-1 going into the second period when she scores two go-behind takedowns. A late takedown and exposure just pads the margin of victory.

14:00: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) stops the Kazakhstan train by beating Beibit SEIDUALY (KAZ), 3-1, in the 65kg quarterfinals. A takedown to separate the two wrestlers.

13:58: Irina RINGACI (MDA), a former world champion and retuning bronze medalist, uses her extraordinary defense to beat Nana IKEHATA (JPN). After building a 6-4 lead, Ringaci gets the double arm lock and then holds Ikehata for the fall

13:56: What a finish by Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR). Having just scored a 4-point arm throw to go ahead 8-0 in her 65kg quarterfinal with Agnes NYGREN (SWE), Vynnyk gets behind and hits a 5-point back drop for a 13-0 win in 3:45.  

13:52: Alina KASABIEVA (RUS), determined to improve on her silver medal from 2025, has little trouble getting past Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) 10-0 to advance to the 65kg semifinals. Kasabieva gets the takedown, then gains a high chest wrap and reels off four straight rolls to end the encounter in 1:45.

13:50: Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN) upsets defending world champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Nagamoto tries to bring Maroulis under control early in the match but the American sneaks out of the attack and Nagamoto lands outside the zone. A point is awarded to Maroulis which Japan challenges but the lost challenge adds one more point to Maroulis. She tries to hold that lead but Nagamoto gets a stepout with a minute left in the match to cur the lead to 2-1. She then hits a double leg attack, Maroulis goes over her and tries to flee but Nagamoto gets the takedown with 10 seconds left. The United States challenges late asking a Maroulis point for unknown reasons but the challenge is lost and Nagamoto wins 4-2 to advance to the semifinals.

13:46: Three-time world bronze medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) moves one win from her first world final, notching a solid 8-0 win over Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) in their 57kg quarterfinal. Kurachkina scores a first-period takedown, then pads the lead with a 4-point takedown to start the second. An unsuccessful challenge adds a point, and Kurachkina caps the win with a late stepout. 

13:45: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) earns the semifinals spot for the host country Kazakhstan at 57kg with a fall over Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR). Both wrestlers threw each other for four points and two exposures as well but Raimova got a headlock for fall.

13:38: Kexin HONG (CHN) wastes little time to put away Magdalena GLODEK (POL) 10-0 and advance to the 57kg semifinals. After putting up a quick 4 points, Hong spins behind for a takedown, applies the lace lock and rolls twice to end the match in 1:14.

13:33: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) thrills the home crowd by rallying to a 5-4 victory over three-time world medalist Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) to advance to the 50kg semifinals. Bayanova, a bronze medalist at the recent Asian Games, falls behind 3-1 when Bayanmunkh opens the second period with a takedown. But Bayanova uses a nifty duck under for a takedown to ahead on criteria, then counters an attack for another with 23 seconds left. Bayanmunkh gains a last-second stepout that leaves her a point short.

13:30: Ziqi FENG (CHN) with multiple counter takedowns before controlling Katie DUTCHAK (CAN) to turn and finish the 50kg semifinals with a 11-1 technical superiority win.

13:28: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) moves takedown and turn to build a 4-0 lead over Nohalis LOYO JIMENEZ (VEN) in the 50kg quarterfinals. She then goes deep leg attack again before gut-wrenching Loyo for two more points for an 8-0 lead. An exposure to finish a 10-0 victory at the stroke of the break and Susaki moves into semifinals.

13:20: Two-time world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) jumps out to the lead with a 4-point counter lift against returning silver medalist and three-time world medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) in their 76kg encounter. Medet Kyzy launches a comeback in the second period, scoring a stepout, then gaining a 4-point takedown that the Egyptian side unsuccessfully challenges. In a scramble that gives both wrestlers a 2-point exposure, Medet Kyzy comes out on top with her leg wrapped around Hamza's neck. From that position, she is able to secure a fall.

13:10: European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) gets a fall over Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) to reach the 76kg quarterfinals. Alpyeyeva with a big move four-pointer before keeping him down for the fall

13:09: Asian silver medalist and two-time world U20 champion Nana IKEHATA (JPN), looking to keep the 65kg title won last year by Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) in Japanese hands, defeats Kayla MIRACLE (USA)  by fall to advance to the quarterfinals. Ikehata spins behind for two takedowns in the first period, adding a pair of lace-lock rolls after the second one for an 8-0 lead. In the second period, the Japanese gets an exposure from a takedown attempt that Miracle had tried to counter, then drives the American to her back to secure the fall with 27 seconds left.

12:57: Alina KASABIEVA (RUS), the 65kg silver medalist a year ago in Zagreb, latches onto a cradle against 2024 Asian 57kg champion Yongxin FENG (CHN) and milks it for all it's worth in their second-round 65kg match. Kasabieva gets to the side and, after being awarded the takedown, bulls Feng over three times to build up an 8-0 lead. In the second period, Kasabieva spins behind for a takedown to notch a 10-0 win and a spot in the quarterfinals.

12:55: A fall for U20 world champion KAJAL (IND) over Kamile GRISKIENE GAUCAITE (LTU) at 76kg. She gets a kind of arm bar and was leading 5-0 before securing a first period fall and advance to the quarterfinals at 76kg

12:50: Dymond GUILFORD (USA) hits a double-leg attack for four and then turns Damola OJO (NGR) using the lace to win 12-2 at 76kg.

12:45: Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) got two passivity points against Neha SHARMA (IND) to lead 2-1 and then counters Sharma's late takedown attempt to win 4-1 at 57kg.

12:35: Ziqi FENG (CHN), the bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, hangs on for a 5-0 win over Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) at 50kg. Not much action in the match but Feng dictated the pace.

12:22: Recently crowned Asian Games champion and 2025 world bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) advances at 57kg with a 10-0 win over Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL).

12:17: In a bizarre turn of events, returning bronze medalist Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (RUS) was awarded the win at 50kg when teenager Morgan TURNER (USA) was disqualified after two eye pokes left Smirnova with a scratched eye, and the tournament doctor determined that she could not continue. The Russian had been leading 8-3 when Turner cut the gap to one-point with a counter lift and an arm bar to an exposure. But after the two were returned to standing, Turner contacted the face of Smirnova, who dropped to the mat in pain. She pleaded to be allowed to continue, but the decision was made, leaving Turner shocked and disappointed. 

12:10: Helen MAROULIS (USA), the defending world champion at 57kg, begins her campaign with a 11-0 win over Mia FRIESEN (CAN). Maroulis uses the trip to score her first two takedowns but scores go-behinds in the second period to win via technical superiority

12:08: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) continues to look like her dominating self, storming to a 10-0 victory over Oksana LIVACH (UKR) at 50kg. A 4-point takedown to the back is followed by a front headlock roll for 4, then another for 2 to end their second-round match in 2:11. It is Susaki's third 10-0 victory over three-time European champion Livach in three career matches -- the first was back in the semifinals at the 2018 worlds, and the second in the bronze-medal match at the Paris Olympics.

11:50: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) hits a massive counter throw for five points in the final five seconds to beat Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) at 50kg. Bayamova circles to get behind Keunimjaeva to finish the suplex. Uzbekistan challenges but it is lost. Bayanova gives up stepout and caution but still wins 7-3

11:48: Kayla MIRACLE (USA), a two-time world medalist at 62kg, gets her campaign started at 65kg with a second-period fall over Ayse ERKAN (TUR). Miracle built up an 8-1 lead when she took Erkan down to her back and secured the fall.  

11:44: European bronze medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) gets a pair of activity points, then just barely survives a late takedown attempt by Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER) to advance at 76kg with a 3-0 win, including an unsuccessful challenge point for the final rush.

11:24: Yongxin FENG (CHN), the 2024 Asian champion at 57kg, breaks open a close match at 65kg with Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK), this year's Asian silver medalist at 62kg, by going on a second-period spree to notch a 12-1 win. After giving up an activity point in the first period, Feng finally gets on the scoreboard with a double-leg takedown. She then gets behind for another, but this she flip-flops Mun back and forth with a gut wrench four times to end the match at 4:52. 

11:25: Martina KUENZ (AUT), chasing her first world medal, begins with a 10-0 win over Nyla BURGESS (CAN) at 76kg. She scores exposure and takedown for a 4-0 lead before a takedown and two more turns for the win.

11:22: European Championships medalist Kamile GRISKIENE GAUCAITE (LTU) takes out Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) in the opening bout at 76kg, 4-2, after a rather slow match. Matsuyuki held twice on the activity clock.

11:15: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), a two-time world medalist at 55kg who has moved up to the Olympic weight of 57kg, survives a scare from Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) in her opening bout. Khomenets leads 3-0 in the second period when Poruthotage suddenly dumps her for a 4-point takedown, then adds an exposure for a 6-3 lead. Khomenets gets a stepout, then uses a fireman's carry to put Poruthotage onto her back and secure a fall with 37 seconds left.

11:06: Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), a world silver medalist at 53kg in 2022, gets a tough test from Giullia PENALBER (BRA) in their first-round match at 57kg, but a takedown-roll combination in the first period and a takedown in the second gives her a 7-3 victory.

10:59: Two-time world U17 champion Morgan TURNER (USA), fresh off taking a bronze at the world U23 in Las Vegas, scores a takedown in each period in a 5-0 victory over Greili BENCOSME (CUB) at 50kg. 

10:57: Former Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), coming off a victory at the Asian Games in her home country, begins her quest for a fifth world title at 50kg and first since 2023 with a 10-0 win over Gabija DILYTE (LTU). Susaki gets a pair of single-leg takedowns in the first period, then after another in the second, she gets her head between the legs and forces Dilyte over twice to end the match at 3:36.