ОVATION, edition № 1

TOGETHER AGAIN!

NATALIA YARYGINA: THE DECISION TO ALLOW YOUNG RUSSIAN WRESTLERS TO COMPETE WITH THE FLAG AND ANTHEM WAS MET WITH APPLAUSE

Here's just one fact. The International Federation has 21 members, five of whom came to the tournament, including three vice presidents. Even at world championships, this isn't always the case. People love Krasnoyarsk and love being here. A delegation led by the president of Romanian wrestling came for the first time, and so far they're delighted. Unfortunately, the Romanian team itself couldn't participate; in just a few days, they're starting a ranking tournament in Croatia.

• What other obstacles exist for foreign wrestlers to participate, besides the parallel tournaments on the calendar?

• Some countries have funding issues, making it difficult to send a full team. A girl from Brazil came to the tournament for the first time. She flew in alone. It's her first time in Russia—and right away, in -40 degree weather. But she's still happy. She's a promising girl; she competed for bronze at the Olympics.

• How did the Brazilian representatives contact you?

• Well, even though we're not on the official international calendar right now, everyone knows about the tournament. Thank goodness, it's the 37th tournament already. As they say, word of mouth is always the best way to spread the  news.

• You've already mentioned that our girls will have a tough time. Who would you say are the favorites?

• The DPRK team is very strong; they have two world champions. Mongolia and Belarus traditionally have very strong girls' teams. All the opponents are tough. As Mindiashvili said, there are no "passing by opponents.

• Has the attitude toward Russian wrestlers changed at all over the past year, both within the UWW and the entire wrestling community?

• The attitude has always been excellent. Recently, the UWW Executive Committee decided to allow Russian wrestlers to compete with their flag and anthem at youth competitions. This decision was met with applause. Everyone is interested in Russian participation; without them, the level of competition declines. I hope that we will soon be fully admitted; steps in this direction are already being taken.

IN MEMORY OF YARYGIN, IN HONOR OF SAITIEV

Traditionally, Krasnoyarsk made serious preparations for one of the most significant wrestling tournaments.

Preparations were led by Krasnoyarsk Territory Governor Mikhail Kotyukov, who personally headed the tournament's organizing committee.

At a working meeting attended by FSWR Vice President Natalia Yarygina, the regional governor noted:

"The Ivan Yarygin Cup is more than just a wrestling tournament. Our goal is to find a young Ivan Yarygin in the Siberian hinterland," Mikhail Kotyukov emphasized in a conversation with representatives of the competition's organizing committee.

At the same meeting, it was also decided to make the upcoming competition as accessible as possible to schoolchildren and students. For example, organized groups of sports school students will attend the tournament free of charge.

This year, we continued the tradition of holding educational lessons in Krasnoyarsk schools, where children learned about Ivan Yarygin's career in professional sports and the history of the tournament held in his memory. Following the lectures, online quizzes were held for schoolchildren. The thematic lessons were developed by the Krasnoyarsk Regional Sports Museum and organized with the support of the Main Education Department of the Krasnoyarsk City Administration.

The  Wrestling Academy of Dmitry Mindiashvili in Krasnoyarsk held master classes for students in grades 5-8, which also annually precede the Cup. Coaches and athletes introduced the young guests to the basics of martial arts and gave them a tour of the facility, including a visit to the office-museum of Honored Coach of the USSR and Russia Dmitry Mindiashvili. Among those conducting the master classes was Anna Polovneva, European Champion and current coach of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Women's Junior Wrestling Team. The classes were attended by approximately 250 students from schools across all seven districts of Krasnoyarsk.

These events will leave their mark on the younger generation, and some of the kids will likely want to pursue their career in wrestling, perhaps even becoming future champions, says Arkady Krivosheev, Director of the Wrestling Academy:

"It's important for us that children not only watch wrestling on screen or in the stands, but feel it, so to speak, with their skin, breathe its rhythm, and understand that every hold, every successful technique, every victory starts with perseverance, respect, and love for the sport."

Meanwhile, students from the Sokol Combat Sports Center, who  are into  wrestling, prepared greetings for the tournament's participants and guests in 20 languages ​​(the number of countries participating in the Cup) and published a heartwarming video on social media. It's worth watching, for example, on the "Ivan Yarygin Cup 2026" Telegram channel (t.me/yarygin_cup).

For their part, as in previous years, the city authorities have taken care to decorate the regional capital for the tournament. During the Ivan Yarygin Cup, the streets of Krasnoyarsk will be illuminated with festive lights. Illumination will also adorn the Ivan Yarygin Sports Palace and the "Two Wrestlers" sculpture in front of the building.

Ahead of the competition, good news came with the announcement that a street in Krasnoyarsk will be named after Buvaisar Saitiev, a three-time Olympic champion who won the Yarygin tournament six times. The corresponding decree was signed by Krasnoyarsk Mayor Sergey Vereshchagin. The document specifies that the new street will run from Krasnodarskaya Street to the building at 1D Molokova Street. The Buvaisar Saitiev Olympic Reserve Sports School is located in this area.

Even the weather was a treat for the athletes and spectators. In Krasnoyarsk, the minus-30 degree temperatures have receded. And according to preliminary forecasts, by the end of the tournament, the temperature will warm up to minus two degrees.

Everything is ready for the 2026 Ivan Yarygin Cup. Let's get started!

CALLED TO THE MAT... DAY 1

On the first day of the 2026 Yarygin Cup, preliminary bouts will be held in the 50, 55, 59, and 65 kg weight categories for women and in the 57, 61, and 70 kg weight categories for men.

MEN

• 57 kg

Last year's winners: 1. Nachyn Mongush. 2. Lev Pavlov. 3. Artur Chebodaev, Yunus Yavbatirov (all – Russia).

Favorites: Han Chong Son (DPRK), Aryyan Tyutrin (Belarus), Musa Mehtikhanov, Akhmed Idrisov, Ramiz Gamzatov, Artur Chebodayev (all from Russia), Yusuf Demir (Turkiye), Munkh Erdene Bathuyag (Mongolia).

Five World Championship competitors will compete in the bantamweight category: tournament winner Han Jong-sung, as well as wrestlers from Russia, Turkiye, Mongolia, and Belarus. Ironically, Han Jong-sung didn't face any of them in Zagreb. Russian champion Musa Mekhtikhanov reached the quarterfinals.

• 61 kg

Last year's winners: 1. Zaur Uguev. 2. Muslim Mekhtikhanov. 3. Anzor Majidov, Alexander Avelov (all from Russia).

Favorites: Muslim Mekhtikhanov, Alexander Avelov, Kezhik Mongush (all from Russia), Dmitry Shamela (Belarus).

World champion Zaur Uguev has unexpectedly caught a cold and will miss the tournament in Krasnoyarsk. In his absence, Muslim Mekhtikhanov, who lost to Uguev at both the national championship and last year's Yarygin Cup, appears to be the favorite, although in close battles. Belarusian Dmitry Shamela competed in the world championship, where he managed to advance to one round.

• 70 kg

Last year's winners: 1. David Baev. 2. Konstantin Kaprinov. 3. Magomed-emi Eltemirov, Kurban Shirayev (all from Russia).

Favorites: David Baev, Kurban Shirayev, Konstantin Kaprinov (all from Russia), Viktor Rassadin (Tajikistan).

David Baev, Magomed-Emi Eltemirov, is one of the most experienced wrestlers in this weight class. He won the World Championships back in 2019. Kurban Shirayev won the European Championships a year later. Konstantin Kaprinov missed out on a major victory twice in a row – at the Russian Championships and last year's Yarygin Tournament.

WOMEN

• 50 kg

Last year's medalists: 1. Nadezhda Sokolova. 2. Elizaveta Smirnova (both Russia). 3. Aktenzhe Kyunimzhaeva (Uzbekistan), Violetta Rebikova (Belarus).

Favorites: Won Myong-chon (DPRK), Munkhnar Byambasuren (Mongolia), Natalia Varakina (Belarus), Natalia Pudova (Russia).

Won Myung-chun is the reigning world champion, making her the favorite to win the 2026 Yarygin Cup. In Zagreb, she defeated, among others, Russia's Elizaveta Smirnova, although in a close fight (10:8) on her way to the title. Russian champion Natalia Pudova will try to avenge her compatriot's defeat – incidentally, she defeated Smirnova in the final of the national championship.

• 55 kg

Last year's medalists: 1. Natalia Malysheva. 2. Alexandra Skirenko. 3. Kristina Ponomareva, Sevil Nazarova (all from Russia).

Favorites: Ekaterina Verbina, Alexandra Skirenko, Irina Ologonova, Ekaterina Poleshchuk (all from Russia), Laura Almagonbetova (Kazakhstan).

In this category, Oh Ken-Ren of the DPRK became the world champion. She performed very strongly, winning one victory after another, and in the final, she crushed the experienced Russian Ekaterina Verbina. Oh Ken Ren came to Krasnoyarsk but plans to compete in a lighter weight class. A strong field of experienced Russian athletes, including Verbina, will be vying for the victory. Last year's tournament winner, Natalia Malysheva, will be competing in a different weight class. Laura Almagonbetova from Kazakhstan, a World Championship competitor, will likely pose a challenge for the Russians, albeit in the 57 kg class.

• 59 kg

Last year's medalists: 1. Anastasia Sidelnikova. 2. Ulyana Tukurenova. 3. Marina Simonyan (all from Russia), Nadezhda Bulanaia (Belarus).

Favorites: Anastasia Yakovleva, Veronika Chumikova, Svetlana Lipatova (all from Russia), Victoria Khusainova (Kazakhstan).

This category boasts a number of experienced athletes. However, 24-year-old Anastasia Sidelnikova from Kemerovo will be absent. Over the past two years, she has collected  a big amount of titles, winning the European Championship, two consecutive national championships, and the Yarygin Cup. Viktoria Khusainova, a fellow countrywoman of Sidelnikova's who currently competes for Kazakhstan, could pose a challenge for the Russians. She has already established herself as the number one athlete on that country's national team, winning the Asian Youth Championships and competing at the World Championships.

• 65 kg

Last year's winners: 1. Dinara Kudayeva. 2. Valeria Dondupova. 3. Ekaterina Oleynikova, Elizaveta Petlyakova (all from Russia).

Favorites: Khanum Velieva, Dinara Kudayeva, Anastasia Parokhina (both from Russia), Enkhjin Tuvshinjargal (Mongolia).

Multiple Russian champion and Yarygin Cup winner Khanum Velieva has been provisionally entered in a slightly lighter weight class, making her the clear favorite in the division. Enkhzhin Tuvshinjargal, the World Championship bronze medalist, could be a serious opponent for Velieva. However, Dinara Kudayeva, who has won Yarygin gold for two years in a row, won't back down without a fight.

WHO WILL WIN THE SPECIAL PRIZE FROM ROSCONGRESS?

The courts of the famous Yarygin tournament have always proved attractive to foreign athletes.

Athletes from twenty countries on four continents will compete in the 2026 Ivan Yarygin Cup.

Even before the tournament, the Vedomosti newspaper portal called it "a team achievement by the Organizing Committee, headed by Governor Mikhail Kotyukov, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Sport and personally by Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev. Despite sanctions, restrictions and the tournament's absence from the official calendar, the Ivan Yarygin Foundation and the Federation of Sport Wrestling of Russia (FSWR) and UWW carried out painstaking work to invite foreign participants."

"I would like to point out that, at the invitation of UWW President Nenad Lalovich, several United World Wrestling leaders will be coming to Krasnoyarsk – Vice President Rodica Yakshi and Executive Committee member Razvan Pirkalabu. Some teams arrived in Krasnoyarsk almost a week before the tournament and held joint training sessions. This once again emphasizes  the enormous demand and potential for creating an international wrestling center in Krasnoyarsk," said Georgy Bryusov, member of the Roscongress Foundation Supervisory Board and First Vice President of the Russian Wrestling Federation.

Mongolia has the largest delegation among the foreign guests. The strongest team with three reigning world champions and several medalists is the North Korean team, led by head coach and two-time Olympic champion Kim Il.

Brazil, the 58th country in the tournament's history, is represented by Pan American Games champion and fifth-place finisher at the Paris Olympics, Julia Rodrigues Penalber de Oliveira.

The best foreign participant will receive a special prize from the Roscongress Foundation.

"Roscongress has enjoyed long-standing cooperation and friendship with many national sports federations and sporting legends. Among them, the Ivan Yarygin Cup International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament holds a special place. The Foundation's sports platform provides practical assistance in organizing and hosting the tournament. This year, for the fifth time, the best foreign wrestler will receive a cash prize from the Roscongress Foundation. Roscongress plans to comprehensively develop this cooperation and promote the further development of the tournament on international platforms," noted Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board and director of the Roscongress Foundation.

Since 2015, the Foundation has systematically supported Russian sport, creating a diverse program of sporting tournaments and business events on the sidelines of major forums. In 2025, this collaboration reached a new level: at the request of the Russian Ministry of Sport, the Foundation acted as the operator of the major sports forum "Russia – Country of Sports," which took place in Samara from November 5 to 7.

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