Across five destinations – three of them brand-new – the 2026 Beach Wrestling World Series produced new champions and renewed rivalries before eight world titles were decided in Katerini. Greece. Now, attention turns to Dakar for the discipline’s Youth Olympic Games debut.

New destinations, emerging contenders
The journey began on Mỹ Khê Beach in Da Nang on 9–10 May, as Vietnam hosted the World Series for the first time. The home wrestlers gave the crowd plenty to celebrate: Do Ngoc Linh won the 50 kg title, and Dang Thi Linh took gold at 70 kg in the women’s. 

Poreč, Croatia, followed on 30–31 May, before Batumi welcomed Georgia’s first World Series event on 20–21 June. Finals under the lights and vocal home support made the Georgian stop a memorable addition. Azerbaijan then hosted the circuit for the first time at Baku’s Sea Breeze resort on 28–29 August, leaving Katerini to decide the championships on 26–27 September.

On the athletes’ side, Ashraf Ashirov was among the season’s immediate discoveries. The 25-year-old Azerbaijani won the men’s 90 kg gold on his Beach Wrestling debut in Da Nang, defeating Georgia’s Iuza Tsertsvadze 3–1 in the final. Tsertsvadze responded with victory in Poreč, while Ashirov returned to the top in Batumi and Baku.

At 80 kg, Georgia’s Luka Chkhitunidze won the opening three stops, establishing himself as a challenger to defending world champion Vusal Aliyev from Azerbaijan. Alongside Tsertsvadze and Tornike Tulashvili at 90 kg, he demonstrated the strength of Georgia’s emerging contenders.

Azerbaijan was building depth across all four men’s categories. Rubail Ibrahimli challenged at 70 kg, Sahib Dadashov joined Aliyev among the leading contenders at 80 kg, while Jamal Feyziyev won the heavyweight title on home sand in Baku.

New contenders also emerged at women’s 50 kg. Romania’s Ana Maria Rotaru won in Poreč, while Ukraine’s Viktoriia Slobodeniuk claimed consecutive victories in Batumi and Baku. Alongside Diana Rysova (UKR), they would form an entirely new overall top three.

Ukraine controlled much of the women’s middleweight competition. Oksana Moskalova won the opening two 60 kg stops, while Olena Nikitinska recorded three consecutive victories at 70 kg in Poreč, Batumi and Baku.

Eight world titles decided in Katerini
Katerini hosted the decisive senior World Championships for the first time, with 91 athletes from 17 nations listed in the official final book. Rain disrupted Saturday’s programme, but sunshine returned for Sunday’s finals. Quadruple ranking points meant the last weekend could still transform a championship campaign.

At women’s 50 kg, Rysova defeated Rotaru to win the final stop. The Romanian’s results across the season nevertheless secured the world title, with Rysova second overall and Slobodeniuk third.

Moskalova secured both Katerini gold and the world title at 60 kg. She defeated compatriot Sofiia Kushnir in the final, with outgoing champion Anastasiya Kravchenko completing an entirely Ukrainian overall podium.

“I’m incredibly happy that I managed to become World Champion this year. Last year, I finished in 4th place, and that became a big challenge and motivation for me to come back stronger and win the title this year,” Moskalova said.

Ukraine repeated its overall podium sweep at 70 kg. Romana Vovchak won the Katerini final against Halyna Oleksiivska, but Nikitinska’s bronze and earlier results secured the championship. Oleksiivska finished second overall and Vovchak third.

Eliana Bommarito extended her remarkable reign at +70 kg. Victory over Daria Konstantynova in Katerini secured a fourth consecutive world title, following earlier gold medals in Poreč and Batumi. Greece’s home heroine Stefania Zacheila finished second overall, ahead of Konstantynova.

Oleksii Boruta reclaimed the men’s 70 kg world title by defeating fellow Ukrainian Ivan Semenov in the final. Four victories across the five stops carried the 30-year-old wrestler back to the crown he last held in 2024. Semenov finished second overall, ahead of Ibrahimli.

Aliyev prevailed over Chkhitunidze in Katerini to retain his 80 kg world title. The Georgian finished second overall and Dadashov third.

“The most memorable moment was defeating the Georgian wrestler, who had beaten me in previous World Series events, in two consecutive matches at the final stage to secure my world title,” Aliyev said. “For me, this victory is more than just a title. It is proof of what can be achieved through self-belief and never giving up.”

Ashirov completed his outstanding debut season by beating Tsertsvadze in the 90 kg final and becoming world champion. Tsertsvadze finished second overall, with Tulashvili third.

At +90 kg, Feyziyev added Katerini gold to his debut World Series victory in Baku, but Mamuka Kordzaia’s accumulated points secured the Georgian’s fourth world championship and third consecutively. Ukraine’s Vazha Daiauri finished second overall, with Feyziyev taking bronze.

For Azerbaijan, two gold and three bronze medals in the overall individual standings brought a first men’s world team championship. Head coach Oyan Nazariani, named UWW Coach of the Year, also celebrated the U17 boys’ European team title, the U17 girls’ world team title and the U17 boys’ second place at the Worlds.

“What makes our team special is that we are more than just athletes and coaches. We are a family, united by trust, hard work, and a shared dream,” Nazariani, the world champion from 2019, said.

“Being named UWW Coach of the Year made this incredible season even more special for me, and I see this recognition as a reflection of our entire team’s hard work and dedication.”

Recognition and the road to Dakar
The Top Technique awards recognised standout action throughout the circuit. Nikitinska took the women’s honours in Da Nang and Poreč, with the men’s awards going to Vazha Daiauri and Türkiye’s Ömer Özyildirim respectively. Slobodeniuk and Iran’s Ali Gholami won in Batumi, followed by Oleksiivska and Azerbaijan’s Ramiz Hasanov in Baku. Slovenia’s Sara Trbulin and Georgia’s Chkhitunidze completed the season’s winners in Katerini.

Romania’s Celestin Pavelescu received the Golden Whistle as Referee of the Year.

Beyond the World Series, continental championships, youth world championships, university beach sport and military competition continued to widen opportunities for athletes. The new hosts added to that growth, bringing international competition to fresh audiences.

The next milestone comes on 7–8 November, when Beach Wrestling makes its Youth Olympic Games debut at Dakar 2026. The announced field includes 96 athletes from 52 countries across five continents, competing in four women’s and four men’s weight categories. Thirteen African nations will be represented, giving the host continent a strong presence.

After a season that crowned eight world champions, Dakar offers the next generation its opportunity on the Youth Olympic stage. The World Series will be back strong in 2027, with established champions to test and new contenders ready to take their chance.