Highlights from the 2026 World Wrestling Championships

The world champions in the Greco-Roman, women's and men's freestyle categories were decided at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships, held over nine days in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. About 900 wrestlers took part, and a total of 120 medals were awarded across 30 weight classes.

In men's freestyle at 97 kg, Kyle Snyder won his second consecutive world title and the 5th of his career. Kyle Dake, who won gold at 86 kg, claimed his 5th gold medal in the history of the event. Iran's Amir Zare won every bout by technical superiority in the heavyweight division and secured his 4th world title of his career in Astana.

The United States won medals in 9 of the 10 men's freestyle weight classes and finished first in the team standings with 194 points. Russia was second with 185 points, and Iran was third with 133 points. In the women's competition, the United States surpassed Japan to win the team title for the first time since 1999. In Greco-Roman, Iran took the team championship cup.

Japan's Yui Susaki, who won all her bouts without conceding a point at 50 kg, earned her 5th world championship gold medal. Manisha Bhanwala of India won gold at 59 kg and became the first female world champion wrestler from her country. In Greco-Roman, Iranian wrestlers reached 7 finals and won 9 medals in total: 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. Azerbaijan's Eldaniz Azizli also won his 5th gold medal in the history of the event.

Kazakh spectators showed strong interest in the freestyle bouts, largely filling the Barys Arena, which holds about 12,000 people. The United States and Iran were the countries that won the most medals in the tournament.