Today, the Russian women’s team collected three awards at the World Championships currently underway in New Delhi, India. Diana Pyatak earned bronze in the under 81 kg category. She fell short of the tournament final after losing to the Moroccan competitor Khadija Mardi, ending her run with a strong showing on the world stage.
Natalia Sychugova of Russia faced a tough decision in the finals of the women’s 63 kg class, where she was edged out by Yang Chenju of China after a separate decision, denying her the chance to stand on the podium for the final bout. That result reflected the high level of competition and the close margins that define elite championship wrestling.
In a display of rising talent, 18-year-old Anastasia Demurchyan claimed victory in the 70 kg weight class. She defeated Francis Scott of Australia in a tightly contested final to secure the gold medal, marking a notable early peak in her senior career and signaling strong future prospects for the team on the world stage.
The Women’s World Championship in New Delhi runs from March 15 to 31. The men’s tournament is scheduled to follow, taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 1 to 14. The event gathers a broad field of competitors from across the globe, highlighting the sport’s growing global reach and the depth of talent in women’s wrestling today.
In total, 324 athletes from 65 countries participate in the women’s competition, underscoring the event’s international scope and competitive intensity. This level of participation reflects a sustained commitment to women’s wrestling on multiple continents and the ongoing development of the sport at the highest levels. [Source: IOC]
Earlier developments set the stage for this championship. By the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations advising that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not participate in any competitions. This advisory impacted how teams and athletes from those nations were integrated into international events during the period surrounding the championships. [Source: IOC]
Additionally, reports noted that the International Boxing Association had publicly opposed the boycott of the World Cup, presenting a counterpoint to the broader debate about athlete participation under geopolitical circumstances. This context helps explain the atmosphere around the competition and the decisions faced by athletes and federations alike. [Source: IOC]