It’s the one everyone has been waiting for, the final stop of the 2024 Beach Wrestling World Series. The greatest show on sand reaches its season finale as it returns to Croatian sands for the first time since 2019 in Zagreb.

With four times the ranking points available to the winner, it is to be speculated whether a competitor hitherto unnoticed will emerge to achieve the highest accolade, or whether the title favourites will prevail and secure their position at the pinnacle of the podium. A strong contingent from the host country is expected to take part in the field of title hopefuls to mix things up additionally.

The additional points on offer alongside that special beach wrestling atmosphere and vibe all point to Poreč being a memorable first ever visit. Let’s look at how the event is shaping up. With 14 athletes confirmed so far team Ukraine have their sights set firmly on taking home gold overall as a team and also individually, especially in the women’s division where they have been almost unstoppable all year. Team USA have grown throughout this year’s edition and Croatia will be no exception with a team of 10 making the trip over the pond as they look to create more history.

The women's 50kg division features a strong line-up of competitors. Ana Maria PIRVU (ROU) has been performing exceptionally well, securing victories in the last two tournaments. A repeat performance in Poreč could see her become the Beach Wrestling World Champion for the first time. Ukrainian Viktoriia SLOBODENIUK has also secured a gold medal this year, having won in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. She has previously competed against Pirvu in the last two gold medal matches. She will be hoping to finally prevail over Pirvu, which could see her take home the title.

The women's 60kg division has been dominated by Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO, Sofiia KUSHNIR and Sofiia BORDINSKYKH (UKR) to date. It is likely that at least one of the trio will be on the top step of the podium when the dust has settled. However, given the unpredictable nature of competition in this field and the increased ranking points on offer, it is possible that someone from the chasing pack will emerge to claim the top prize.

The women's 70kg division is another area where Ukraine has enjoyed a strong competitive advantage. Oksana HERHEL, Olena NIKITINSKA and Viktoriia HRYTSENKO have consistently demonstrated their potential as top contenders throughout the season. However, Dimitra ANDROUTSOU (GRE) has also emerged as a noteworthy competitor, securing a bronze medal in Katerini. If she can replicate that performance and gain a little luck, she could become a formidable rival for the Ukrainian trio.

In the women's +70kg division, Eliana BOMMARITO (USA) has been the dominant force since taking home the world title last season, ending Catalina AXENTE’S two-year run as World Champion. Despite an initial setback in the group stages in Katerini, Bommarito was able to secure a victory over Axente in the final, claiming the gold medal. Axente will be eager to achieve a better result this time around and prevent the American from securing consecutive world titles. Liudmyla PAVLOVETS TYCHYNA (UKR) will also be a contender for the title, having demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season, which has positioned her as a strong candidate for the top prize.

The men's 70kg category is likely to be a competitive one, with Turkish defending World Champion Younus COSKUN, who took gold last time out in Greece, and Ukrainian Oleksii BORUTA, who was previously considered the favourite for the title, both in contention. Both competitors will be mindful of the unconfirmed participants from Iran, who are returning to the competition after an absence. They will be represented by Payam Farzad AHMADI BALOOTAKI and Ebrahim Mahdi KHARI. Igor SEMENOV (UKR), Quentin STICKER (FRA) and Justin BENJAMIN (USA) will also be aiming to be in contention.

Vasile DIACON (MDA) is entering the final event in the men's 80kg division in excellent form, having won two gold medals and a bronze in his last three competitions. He is poised to become Moldova's inaugural Beach Wrestling World Champion, provided he can maintain this level of performance at the upcoming event on Plava Laguna. Greece's Christos CHRISTOFORIDIS has also secured a gold medal this year and will be aiming to replicate his performance at stop three, where he defeated Diacon in the final to claim the top prize. The current champion, Hugo Cuenot of France, maintains a strong position in the rankings and is a formidable competitor. Similarly, Ramiz HASANOV of Azerbaijan is a contender with a high probability of success. The question on everyone's lips is whether the reigning champion will retain his title or if the popular Azerbaijani will emerge from the pack to take the title back to Baku.

Ibrahim YUSUBOV (AZE) is looking for a three-peat of World Championships, having been crowned King of the men’s 90kg division in 2022 and 2023. He took the gold last time out in Katerini after finally overcoming Moldovan Tristian CAPATINA in the semi-final, who he lost out to in the gold medal match in both Saint-Laurent-Du-Var and Timisoara, before beating Mahmut OZKAYA (TUR) in the final. Capatina will himself be looking to avenge that defeat and stop the Azerbaijani making it 3 in a row and Ozkaya, having only returned to the series in Katerini will also have his eyes on the main prize.

The men's +90kg division is currently a close competition between Beach Wrestling legend Mamuka KORDZAIA (GEO) and reigning champion Fatih YASARLI. The wrestler from Turkey will need to enhance his performance in Katerini, where he was unable to progress to the elimination round. Kordzaia is aiming to build on his previous success, having claimed the gold medal at the last competition.

The event promises to be a highlight of the year in Croatia at the pristine Plava Laguna in Poreč. Once the competition is complete, the Beach Wrestling World Champions will be crowned. We cordially invite you to join us at Sandside on 12-13 October to witness the crowning of the new World Champion. If you are unable to attend the event in person, you can still follow the action online. Head over to the Beach Wrestling World Series YouTube Channel and stay up-to-date with all things Beach Wrestling on our socials.