2026 Senior World Championships

Adaugo Nwachukwu Wins Gold, Kennedy Blades Takes Bronze on Day 6 of Senior Worlds

Adaugo Nwachukwu Wins Gold, Kennedy Blades Takes Bronze on Day 6 of Senior Worlds

All the action from the 2026 Senior World Championships women's freestyle medal matches at 53, 62, 68, & 72kg brought to you in real time!

Oct 29, 2026 by Allen Catour · Updated about 5 hours ago
Adaugo Nwachukwu Wins Gold, Kennedy Blades Takes Bronze on Day 6 of Senior Worlds

The annual pinnacle of international wrestling achievement is going down in Astana, the capital city of the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. Follow all the action here as we bring you live updates of the medal matches as they happen!

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Team USA closed Day 6 of the 2026 Senior World Championships with a gold medal, a bronze medal and several more Americans advancing to medal contention heading into the next day of competition.

Adaugo Nwachukwu delivered one of the session’s most dramatic finishes, defeating Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki, 12-11, in the 62 kg gold-medal match. Nwachukwu trailed 11-9 in the closing seconds before scoring a takedown with five seconds remaining, giving Nwachukwu the decisive score and the world title.

Kennedy Blades also reached the podium for the United States, earning bronze at 68 kg with a victory by fall over Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan. Blades rallied after falling behind early, scoring a series of takedowns and exposure points before securing the fall.

The United States came up short in two other women’s freestyle bronze-medal matches. Cristelle Noelle Rodriguez Dobler fell to Romania’s Andreea Ana, 6-3, at 53 kg, while Precious Wieser lost to India’s Tanu Sharma, 9-5, at 72 kg.

Earlier in the day, all four Americans competing in the morning session — Bo Bassett (65 kg), Kyle Snyder (97 kg), Everest Leydecker (55 kg) and Abby Nette (59 kg) — advanced to the finals, guaranteeing each a chance to compete for a gold medal on Day 7.

Team USA will have more wrestlers enter the competition tomorrow as the men's freestyle qualification rounds begin at 61, 70, 86 and 125 kg. Marcus Blaze will compete at 61 kg, Zain Retherford at 70 kg, Kyle Dake at 86 kg and Wyatt Hendrickson at 125 kg as the Americans look to add to their medal haul.

  • 3:18 PM

    Full Day 6 Women's Freestyle Medal Results

    72 kg

    • Bronze: Tanu Sharma (India) defeats Precious Weiser (United States), 9-5
    • Bronze: Mahiro Yoshitake (Japan) defeats Zhamila Bakbergenova (Kazakhstan), 6-4
    • Gold: Zelu Li (China) defeats Wiktoria Choluj (Poland), 4-3

    53 kg 

    • Bronze: Andreea Ana (Romania) defeats Cristelle Rodriguez Dobler (United States), 6-3
    • Bronze: Emma Malmgren (Sweden) defeats Jin Zhang (China), 5-2
    • Gold: Moe Kiyooka (Japan) defeats Lucia Yepez Guzman (Ecuador), 6-0

    68 kg

    • Bronze: Kennedy Blades (United States) defeats Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan (Mongolia), by fall
    • Bronze: Adela Hanzlickova (Czechia) defeats Manola Skobelska (Ukraine), 6-6 (criteria)
    • Gold: Jia Long (China) defeats Meerim Zhumanazarova (Kyrgyzstan), 4-3

    62 kg

    • Bronze: Amina Tandelova (Russia) defeats Esther Kolawole (Nigeria), 7-3
    • Bronze: Bilyana Dudova (Bulgaria) defeats Sara Lindborg (Sweden), 5-2
    • Gold: Adaugo Nwachukwu (United States) defeats Nonoka Ozaki (Japan), 12-11
  • 3:12 PM

    62 kg Gold-Medal Match: Adaugo Nwachukwu (USA) defeats Nonoka Ozaki (JPN), 12-11

    1st period: Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki is called for passivity twice in the opening period, putting her on the activity clock. Ozaki gets in on a low single near the edge, but the action is ruled a stalemate. As Ozaki drives up on another leg attack, the United States’ Adaugo Nwachukwu sprawls and whips her over for four points. Ozaki gives up an activity-clock point, and Nwachukwu leads 5-0 at the break. Nwachukwu briefly holds her knee as the doctor checks on her, but she is cleared to continue.

    2nd period: Ozaki responds with a four-point throw, but Nwachukwu fights off her back and earns two exposure points of her own to make it 7-4. Nwachukwu then wins a simultaneous exchange of attacks, scoring a takedown to extend her lead to 9-4. Ozaki uses a misdirection to switch to a double-leg takedown, cutting the deficit to 9-6. With less than a minute remaining, Ozaki attacks a low single, finishes the takedown and hits a lace with 13 seconds left to take a 10-9 lead. The United States challenges the call, arguing Nwachukwu's head was out of bounds before the lace, but the ruling is upheld. Ozaki receives an additional point for the failed challenge, making it 11-9. Nwachukwu answers in dramatic fashion, dragging the arm and driving through for a takedown with five seconds remaining to win the match 11-11 on criteria. Japan challenges, arguing there was not enough time for the takedown, but the call stands. The lost challenge gives Nwachukwu an extra point, securing a 12-11 victory and the gold medal for the United States.

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  • 2:58 PM

    62 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Bilyana Dudova (BUL) defeats Sara Lindborg (SWE), 5-2

    Bulgaria’s Bilyana Dudova defeats Sweden’s Sara Lindborg, 5-2, to claim the other bronze medal at 62 kg.

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  • 2:52 PM

    62 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Amina Tandelova (RUS) defeats Esther Kolawole (NGR), 7-3

    1st period: Nigeria's Esther Kolawole looks for an ankle pick early, but cannot finish as the match remains scoreless through the opening minute. Russia's Amina Tandelova is called for passivity twice and placed on the activity clock. Kolawole earns a point from the activity clock to take a 1-0 lead. Tandelova attempts an arm spin, but Kolawole counters with two exposure points to extend her advantage to 3-0 heading into the break.

    2nd period: Tandelova opens the second period with a stepout to cut the deficit to 3-1. Kolawole is called for passivity and later placed on the activity clock herself. Tandelova earns the activity-clock point to make it 3-2 with a minute remaining. She continues to press, attempting another arm spin before working through Kolawole's defenses. With one second left, Tandelova ducks under, gets to a single leg and lifts Kolawole for a four-point move. Nigeria challenges the timing, but the officials confirm the points count. Tandelova secures the 7-3 victory and the bronze medal for Russia.

  • 2:35 PM

    68 kg Gold-Medal Match: Jia Long (CHN) defeats Meerim Zhumanazarova (KGZ), 4-3

    1st period: China's Jia Long receives a passivity warning about a minute into the match, then is called for passivity again and placed on the activity clock. Long shoots on a high crotch, but Meerim Zhumanazarova sits the corner and looks for a crotch lift. Zhumanazarova scores on the activity clock and adds two exposure points, but Long counters with exposure of her own and nearly turns Zhumanazarova to her back for a fall. Zhumanazarova nearly rolls through as time expires, with Long holding a 4-3 lead at the break.

    2nd period: The wrestlers return to the center for the final three minutes, trading handfighting as the official encourages more action. With a minute remaining, Zhumanazarova shoots a double leg, but Long fends off the attack. Long receives a warning for hands to the face with 30 seconds left. Zhumanazarova searches for a late scoring opportunity but cannot find an opening, and Long holds on for a 4-3 victory to win gold for China.

  • 2:23 PM

    68 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Adela Hanzlickova (CZE) defeats Manola Skobelska (UKR), 6-6

    Adela Hanzlickova of Czechia defeated Ukraine's Manola Skobelska by criteria after the match ended tied 6-6, earning the other bronze medal at 68 kg.

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  • 2:22 PM

    68 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Kennedy Blades (USA) defeats Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan (MGL), Fall 5:11

    1st period: Kennedy Blades opens with a blast double, driving toward the edge, but Mongolia's Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan counters to earn a stepout and take a 1-0 lead. Blades is called for passivity and shoots on another double, but Enkhsaikhan sprawls and looks for short offense before a stalemate is called. A second passivity call puts Blades on the activity clock, and when she fails to score, Enkhsaikhan takes a 2-0 lead into the break.

    2nd period: Blades comes out firing with another blast double, taking Enkhsaikhan from her feet to her back for four points before adding two more to go up 6-2. She follows with another takedown in a flurry near the edge to extend her lead to 8-2. Enkhsaikhan earns a stepout from a front headlock to cut the deficit to 8-3, but Blades answers after Enkhsaikhan attempts a head pinch. Blades counters for two, works Enkhsaikhan onto her back with a half nelson and throws in both legs to secure the fall and claim the bronze medal.

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  • 2:00 PM

    53 kg Gold-Medal Match: Moe Kiyooka (JPN) defeats Lucia Yepez Guzman (ECU), 6-0

    1st period: Japan's Moe Kiyooka takes control early, scoring two exposure points off a low single to go up 2-0. Kiyooka attacks again with another low single, converting for a takedown to extend her lead to 4-0 despite a brief blood stoppage. Ecuador's Lucia Yepez Guzman takes a shot to the eye earlier in the period, but the action continues. Kiyooka carries a four-point advantage into the break.

    2nd period: Kiyooka opens the period with a straight double-leg takedown to push her lead to 6-0 before another brief blood stoppage. Guzman tries a duck-under, but Kiyooka shuts it down. Kiyooka later transitions from a front headlock to a single leg and elevates Guzman's leg, but the officials call a stalemate. Guzman shoots again, and Kiyooka counters before another stalemate is called. Kiyooka circles away in the closing seconds to preserve the shutout and claim gold for Japan.

  • 1:52 PM

    53 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Emma Malmgren (SWE) defeats Jin Zhang (CHN), 5-2

    Sweden's Emma Malmgren earned a 5-2 decision over China's Jin Zhang to claim the other bronze medal at 53 kg.

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  • 1:48 PM

    53 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Andreea Ana (ROU) defeats Cristelle Rodriguez Dobler (USA), 6-3

    1st period: Cristelle Rodriguez Dobler opens the scoring with a left sweep single, earning a stepout to take a 1-0 lead. Romania's Andreea Ana attempts a reattack near the edge, but Rodriguez circles back to the center. Ana pushes Rodriguez toward the edge, drawing her first passivity warning. Rodriguez responds with another sweep single, driving Ana out of bounds for a second stepout and a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

    2nd period: Ana gets to a single leg early in the second period and finishes the takedown, tying the score at 2-2 and taking the lead on criteria. She follows with another takedown to go up 4-2. Rodriguez works back to a single leg after a blood timeout with 1:30 remaining, earning another stepout to cut the deficit to 4-3. Ana answers with a reattack and takedown to extend her lead to 6-3. Rodriguez looks for a late score, grabbing a low ankle, but Ana maintains control from a front headlock and runs out the clock to secure the bronze medal.

  • 1:35 PM

    72 kg Gold-Medal Match: Zelu Li (CHN) defeats Wiktoria Choluj (POL), 4-3

    1st period: Poland's Wiktoria Choluj opens the scoring with an arm drag near the edge, transitioning to a single leg for a takedown and a 2-0 lead. China's Zelu Li looks for a stepout off a front headlock, but Choluj circles back to the center. Li receives a passivity warning, and Choluj is later called for passivity as a blood timeout briefly pauses the action. With 30 seconds left, Li gets to a single leg and drives Choluj out of bounds for a stepout, cutting the lead to 2-1 heading into the break.

    2nd period: Li pushes Choluj out of bounds for another stepout early in the period, tying the score at 2-2 and taking the lead on criteria. Li then hits a slide-by for a takedown to go up 4-2 with a minute remaining. Choluj tries to get to a leg, but Li defends from a front headlock. With 15 seconds left, Choluj shoots a double and drives Li out for a stepout, making it 4-3. The late point isn't enough, as Li holds on to win gold for China.

  • 1:22 PM

    72 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Mahiro Yoshitake (JPN) defeats Zhamila Bakbergenova (KAZ), 6-4

    Japan's Mahiro Yoshitake earns a 6-4 decision over Kazakhstan's Zhamila Bakbergenova to claim the other bronze medal at 72 kg.

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  • 1:21 PM

    72 kg Bronze-Medal Match: Tanu Sharma (IND) defeats Precious Weiser (USA), 9-5

    1st period: India's Tanu Sharma gets on the board first with an early stepout, then scores another stepout after finishing a double-leg attack to take a 3-0 lead. Precious Weiser works to an underhook and looks for a stepout of her own near the edge, but Sharma pushes her out of bounds. The officials rule it a straight-arm push, keeping the score at 3-0 heading into the second period.

    2nd period: The officials warn both wrestlers for hard hand fighting. Weiser earns her first point with a stepout near the edge, but Sharma responds with a takedown off the reset and threatens a fall. Weiser fights off her back, prompting a medical check on her shoulder as India challenges for additional exposure points. The call is confirmed, and Sharma goes up 7-1. Weiser answers with a takedown to cut the deficit to 7-3, but a potential stepout is overturned after a U.S. challenge. With a minute remaining, Weiser scores another takedown to make it 7-5. She looks for a late scoring opportunity, but Sharma counters the attack with a takedown of her own to secure the 9-5 victory and the bronze medal.

  • 1:00 PM

    Medal Matches Begin At 53, 62, 68 & 72 kg

    The medal matches are about to begin, with Precious Weiser up first for the United States. Weiser takes the mat against India's Tanu Sharma in the 72 kg bronze-medal match as the Americans look to open the medal round with a podium finish.

  • 12:45 PM

    Four U.S. Women Set For Medal Matches In 15 Minutes

    Four Americans are set to take the mat for medal matches in about 15 minutes. Precious Weiser will wrestle India's Tanu Sharma for bronze at 72 kg, followed by Cristelle Rodriguez Dobler against Romania's Andreea Ana at 53 kg. Kennedy Blades faces Mongolia's Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan for bronze at 68 kg, while Adaugo Nwachukwu takes on Japan's Nonoka Ozaki for gold at 62 kg.

  • 12:30 PM

    Team USA Advances Four To Gold-Medal Matches

    Team USA will have four wrestlers competing for gold tomorrow after a strong showing in the semifinals. Bo Bassett (65 kg) powered past Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev with a 12-2 technical fall in 3:41, while Kyle Snyder (97 kg) shut out Poland's Zbigniew Baranowski, 5-0.

    Everest Leydecker (55 kg) earned a 6-1 decision over Japan's Nagisa Harada, and Abigail Nette (59 kg) pinned Ukraine's Mariia Vynnyk in 2:12.

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  • 7:00 AM

    FloWrestling Archived Footage

    Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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