Wrestling UWW European Championships 2026

[copravolley 656]

In the women's, however, Russia took a strong beating from Ukraine, but surely there wasn't a all top-tier Russian girls here? Judo, in my opinion, is developing better and more countries are at the leading countries, than wrestling. Situation is slightly better in the world than in Europe, because we do have the USA, Japan and Iran. Unfortunately in Europe, this sport is a joke and is becoming a second table tennis, where people from other countries are naturalized and win medals for others, even though they have nothing in common with them.

Edited 18 hours ago by copravolley

[MHSN 3,822]

55 minutes ago, copravolley said:

In the women's, however, Russia took a strong beating from Ukraine, but surely there wasn't a all top-tier Russian girls here? Judo, in my opinion, is developing better and more countries are at the leading countries, than wrestling. Situation is slightly better in the world than in Europe, because we do have the USA, Japan and Iran. Unfortunately in Europe, this sport is a joke and is becoming a second table tennis, where people from other countries are naturalized and win medals for others, even though they have nothing in common with them.

Russia was never a super power in women's wrestling, they are just another decent team.

 

why ? that's simple. most of top Russian freestyle wrestlers are from Dagestan. probably 7-8 from the current team in Albania. and I assume in that region women are not encouraged to take this sport. if you remove Dagestan from Russia, their men's freestyle team will do more or less the same.

 

I'm not familiar with the Russian culture in general but I assume even nation-wide (and not only Dagestan) this is considered the men's sport. 

 

of course in the World Championship those 3 teams you mentioned can go toe to toe with Russia or even do better. from this Russian team I only see Sadulaev to win the gold at worlds. (+ Sidakov if he returns and maybe Uguev depending on Japan's squad )

 

still the depth of Russian freestyle is unmatched. they can send their #5 guy and be still competitive for a top 6 finish, can't say the same about any other team.

[copravolley 656]

27 minutes ago, MHSN said:

Russia was never a super power in women's wrestling, they are just another decent team.

 

why ? that's simple. most of top Russian freestyle wrestlers are from Dagestan. probably 7-8 from the current team in Albania. and I assume in that region women are not encouraged to take this sport. if you remove Dagestan from Russia, their men's freestyle team will do more or less the same.

 

I'm not familiar with the Russian culture in general but I assume even nation-wide (and not only Dagestan) this is considered the men's sport. 

 

of course in the World Championship those 3 teams you mentioned can go toe to toe with Russia or even do better. from this Russian team I only see Sadulaev to win the gold at worlds. (+ Sidakov if he returns and maybe Uguev depending on Japan's squad )

 

still the depth of Russian freestyle is unmatched. they can send their #5 guy and be still competitive for a top 6 finish, can't say the same about any other team.

Women's wrestling has been at the Olympics for first time in 2004, just like women`s boxing, so it used to be a men's sport on the all world, maybe without Japan. But Russia retains the culture of the former USSR, where women could always participate in almost all sports, unlike Iran under the ayatollahs, etc Sure, Russia has its various Islamic republics: Dagestan, Chechnya- but the 50 years of the USSR and its ideas and propagandas about life and sport still had a significant impact for people. However, the cradle of women's wrestling is and always has been Japan-, but judo has probably always been more popular there, so I'm sure a lot of talented girls go there, not wrestling.

Edited 17 hours ago by copravolley

[copravolley 656]

Wrestling in the USA is strong thanks to its universities, but surprisingly, they are not very strong in judo. I wonder why?

[hckošice 16,640]

Tajmuraz European champion for the crazy 5th time in a row

 

edit: My bad, actually not in a row, last year he won bronze. He was champion in 2021-2024

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by hckošice

[Dnl 729]

16 hours ago, copravolley said:

Wrestling in the USA is strong thanks to its universities, but surprisingly, they are not very strong in judo. I wonder why?

I think it has to do with the depth in plenty of other countries, unlike Wrestling, and Judo tournaments systems in Europe and Asia, and the schedule is more dense then wrestling and of course the exposure of it in the Free JudoTV system and broadcasting and advertising and crowd support unlike UWW where it’s barely exists, I mean for my NOC I would have love to see more Wrestlers but again its less common and exposed to the public so you need to know it from your local sports club