Expect a fierce showing at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships with 90 Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification berths up for grabs in Belgrade, Serbia, from 16-24 September.
All three wrestling divisions are included, including men’s freestyle, women’s wrestling, and Greco-Roman.
The USA will have another star-studded roster on show, including Olympic champions Helen Maroulis, David Taylor, and Kyle Snyder, as well as six-time world champion Adeline Gray, 2019 world champ Jacarra Winchester, and 79 kg freestyler Chance Marsteller -who beat London 2012 Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs at the US Trials.
Gray's 76kg victory at Trials was particularly impressive, given that the 32-year-old gave birth to twins last July. If she qualifies for Paris 2024, Gray will break the record for oldest female U.S. Olympic wrestler by nearly three years.
However, there is no such thing as a foregone conclusion at these wrestling World Championships, with several other Olympic gold medallists including Japan’s Susaki Yui, Taha Akgul of Turkey, and Islamic Republic of Iran duo Hassan Yazdani and Mohammadreza Geraei also competing.
In our preview below we take all the key information for the event, including the top athletes to keep an eye on, must-watch bouts, full schedule, and how to tune in to live action.
- How to qualify for wrestling at Paris 2024 Olympics
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Top matchups to look out for at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships
FS 65kg - Rahman Amouzadkhalili (IRI) vs. Otoguro Takuto (JPN)
Otoguro Takuto has been a consistent performer in one of the most competitive weight classes since his world champs victory in 2018.
Three years later, the Japanese landed Olympic gold in his home Games at Japan 2020, displaying his elusive counter-offensive abilities.
But his absence since Tokyo 2020 has given rise to a new star in Rahman Amouzadkhalili.
The Iranian’s unique tactical style and unmatched stamina gives him the look of a grappler well beyond his years, and a match between the two would be one for the ages.
WW 50kg - Susaki Yui (JPN) vs. Sarah Hildebrandt (USA)
Could this finally be Sarah Hildebrandt’s year for gold? With two world silver medals, a bronze, and an Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020, the American second seed has plenty of big match experience to call upon.
But there is one big hurdle in her way in the shape of reigning world and Olympic champion Susaki Yui.
In fact, the Japanese has never been beaten internationally, and at 24 years of age, seemingly has her best years ahead.
The two women trained together in Los Angeles earlier this year, but are yet to compete in an official bout.
GR 67kg - Luis Orta (CUB) vs. Mohammadreza Geraei (IRI)
Two Olympic champions will share the 67kg Greco-Roman bracket in Belgrade in Luis Orta and Mohammadreza Geraei.
However, it will be a clash of styles as the significantly larger Geraei will look to conserve his energy and physically dominate the more nimble Cuban.
After winning Olympic gold at 60kg Orta moved up a class with great success and will possibly be the early favourite to take this one.
FS 86kg - David Taylor (USA) vs. Hassan Yazdanicharati (IRI)
One of the greatest freestyle wrestling rivalries in history is set for its next instalment between reigning world and Olympic champion David Taylor and Iran’s Hassan Yazdani.
Team USA's Taylor is unarguably the favourite to land a third world title, having maintained his stranglehold in the division for two years.
But one slip up and Rio 2016 Olympic champ Yazdani will need no second invitation to take advantage.
The 28-year-old defeated Taylor in the 2021 final, and will be looking to avenge his final loss in Belgrade last year, and from Olympic final in 2021.
WW 57kg - Anastasia Nichita (MDA) vs. Sakurai Tsugumi (JPN)
Reigning 57kg women’s world champion Sakurai Tsugumi qualified for the championships having beaten two time Olympic champion Kawai Risako in Japan’s wrestle-offs.
But even she would have raised an eyebrow upon seeing that Anastasia Nichita had dropped down from the 59kg division for these championships.
No doubt the Moldovan wanted more practice at the Olympic weight going into Paris 2024, and has a resume well beyond her years at just 24.
It’s a perfect match up between the two, with Sakurai’s constant pressurising against Nichita’s mental fortitude.
Also keep an eye on Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist, and three-time world champion Helen Maroulis in this division, who won the Ivan Yariguin Grand Prix last year.
FS 125kg - Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) vs. Taha Akgul (TUR) vs. Geno Petriashvili (GEO)
Young grappler Amir Zare has emerged as a dominant figure in the heavyweight division.
The 22-year-old claimed world gold in Oslo in 2021 before relinquishing the crown to Rio Olympic champion Taha Akgul in Belgrade last year.
Evergreen Akgul will be keen to inflict another loss on the Iranian, and land his fourth world title, while another major contender to watch closely is Georgia's three-time world champ Geno Petriashvili.
However, Zare will be quietly confident of his chances, having already beaten the pair.
Paris 2024 Olympic qualification berths
In total, 288 athletes will compete in the Paris 2024 wrestling competition: 192 men and 96 women - exactly the same amount as the previous Games.
No spots will be allocated to the host country for wrestling and quota places are allocated to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) with a maximum number of 18 (one per event).
Five quotas for each of the 18 Olympic weight categories - a total of 90 quotas - will be awarded at the 2023 Senior World Championships.
The four medallists (gold, silver, and two bronze) from the 18 categories at this event will each obtain one quota place for their NOC. Plus, a bout between the two losers of the bronze medal matches will take place and the winner will obtain the last quota.
2023 Wrestling World Championships schedule
(All times are UTC +2)
16 September
10:30-15:00 Qualification rounds FS – 61-70-86-125 kg
17:00-18:15 Semi finals FS – 61-70-86-125 kg
17 September
10:30-14:30 Qualification rounds FS – 79-92-57-74 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: FS 79-92-57-74 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: FS 61-70-86-125 kg
18 September
10.30-15.00 Qualification rounds: FS 65-97 kg / WW 55-59 kg; Repechage: FS 79-92-57-74 kg
17.00-18.00 Semi-finals: FS 65-97 kg / WW 55-59 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: FS 79-92-57-74 kg
19 September
10.30-14.30 Qualification rounds: WW 65-50-57-76 kg; Repechage: FS 65-97 kg / WW 55-59 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: WW 65-50-57-76 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: FS 65-97 kg / WW 55-59 kg
20 September
10.30-14.00 Qualification rounds: WW 72-53-62-68 kg; Repechage: WW 65-50-57-76 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: WW 72-53-62-68 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: WW 65-50-57-76 kg
21 September
10.30-14.00 Qualification rounds: GR 55-82-77-130 kg; Repechage: WW 72-53-62-68 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: GR 55-82-77-130 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: WW 72-53-62-68 kg
22 September
10.30-14.00 Qualification rounds: GR 72-60-97 kg; Repechage: GR 55-82-77-130 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: GR 72-60-97 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: GR 55-82-77-130 kg
23 September
10.30-14.00 Qualification rounds: GR 63-67-87 kg; Repechage: GR 72-60-97 kg
16.45-17.45 Semi-finals: GR 63-67-87 kg
18.00-21.00 Finals: GR 72-60-97 kg
24 September
16.30-17.30 Repechage: GR 63-67-87 kg
18:00-20.30 Finals: GR 63-67-87 kg
Click here to see the full schedule, including exact timings.
Where to watch the 2023 Wrestling World Championships
The Wrestling's 2023 Senior World Championships takes place 16-24 September.
The event will be streamed live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com for most of the world and you can watch the action here.
There is also coverage on the United World Wrestling website here (Regional restrictions may apply).
