The World Wrestling Championships 2025 will get underway from 13 to 21 September 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia. The the competition will take place at Arena Zagreb.
It will be first World Wrestling Championships hosted by Croatia.
Around 900 wrestlers will compete, 300 in every style. Let us have a look at some of the wrestlers to watch out for at World Wrestling Championships 2025:
Men
Akhmed Tazhudinov (Bahrain) – 97kg
The reigning Olympic and world champion enters Zagreb as the man to beat in the 97kg division. Akhmed Tazhudinov stunned the world in 2023 by defeating both Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Kyle Snyder (USA) to claim the world title — and followed it up with Olympic gold at Paris 2024. With Sadulaev ruled out of this year’s championships due to visa issues, Tazhudinov has a clear path, but Snyder, a former Olympic champion himself, is still a major threat.
Kiyooka Kotaro (Japan) – 65kg
Olympic champion Kiyooka Kotaro will be under pressure to defend his crown at 65kg, where Rahman Amouzad (Iran) — a silver medallist in Paris — is determined to turn the tables. This rematch is one of the most anticipated in the tournament.
Aoyagi Yoshinosuke (Japan) – 70kg
Silver medallist Aoyagi Yoshinosuke is eyeing revenge in the 70kg class as he prepares for another showdown with reigning world champion Nurkozha Kaipanov (Kazakhstan). Their rivalry is fast becoming one of the most exciting in the sport.
Amir Hossein Zare (Iran) – 125kg
At heavyweight, few can match the dominance of Amir Hossein Zare, a two-time world champion. With raw strength and elite technique, Zare is heavily favoured to take gold at 125kg at World Wrestling Championships 2025.
Women
Motoki Sakura (Japan) – 62kg
The face of Japan’s women’s team, Motoki Sakura, comes into Zagreb as the reigning Olympic champion in the 62kg division. With a bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023, she now seeks her first world title — and looks poised to achieve it at World Wrestling Championships 2025.
Helen Maroulis (USA) – 57kg
One of the sport’s legends, Helen Maroulis, returns to chase her fourth world title. A Rio 2016 Olympic champion, Maroulis continues to compete at the highest level and brings invaluable experience to Team USA.
Grace Bullen (Norway) – 68kg
A fan favourite and one of Europe’s brightest stars, Grace Bullen is on the hunt for her first world title. With explosive style and international success behind her, Bullen is a serious medal contender at 68kg at World Wrestling Championships 2025.
Iran – Champions Return
Iran’s Greco-Roman squad features Olympic champions Mohammadhadi Saravi and Saeid Esmaeili, alongside Amin Mirzazadeh, who will look to defend his 130kg world title. With a blend of strength, endurance, and experience, Iran will be a major force in Zagreb.
Also Read: Asian Wrestling Championship 2025: India’s Sunil Kumar Secures Bronze Beating Chinese Wrestler
World Wrestling Championships 2025: Schedule
(All times are UTC +2)
13 September
- 10:30 – Qualification rounds FS 61-70-86-125kg
- 19:00 – Semi-finals FS 61-70-86-125kg
14 September
- 10:30 – Repechage FS 61-70-86-125kg, Qualification rounds FS 57-74-74-79-92kg
- 16:30 – Semi-finals FS 57-74-79-92kg
- 18:00 – Finals FS 61-70-86-125kg
15 September
- 10.30 – Repechages FS 57-74-79-92kg, Qualification rounds FS 65-97 kg, WW 55-59kg
- 16:30 – Semi-final FS 65-97kg, WW 55-59kg
- 18:00 – Finals FS 57-74-79-92kg
16 September
- 10.30 – Repechages FS 65-97kg, WW 55-59kg, Qualification rounds WW 50-57-65-76kg
- 16:30 – Semi-finals WW 50-57-65-76kg
- 18:00 – Finals FS 65-97kg, WW 55-59 kg
17 September
- 10:30 – Repechages WW 50-57-65-76kg, Qualification rounds WW 53-62-68-72kg
- 16:30 – Semi-finals WW 53-62-68-72kg
- 18:00 – Finals WW 50-57-65-76kg
18 September
- 10:30 – Repechages WW 53-62-68-72kg, Qualification rounds GR 55-77-82-130kg
- 16:30 – Semi-finals GR 55-77-82-130kg
- 18:00 – Finals WW 53-62-68-72kg
19 September
- 10:30 – Repechages GR 55-77-82-130kg, Qualification rounds GR 60-72-97kg
- 16:45 – Semi-finals GR 60-72-97kg
- 18:00 – Finals GR 55-77-82-130kg
20 September
- 10:30 – Repechages GR 60-72-97kg, Qualification Rounds GR 63-67-87kg
- 16:45 – Semi-finals GR 63-67-87kg
- 18:00 – Finals GR 60-72-97kg
21 September
- 16:30 – Repechages GR 63-67-87kg
- 18:00 – Finals GR 63-67-87kg
