Ukrainian wrestler reaches first-ever World Championship final: Date and rival revealed
Mariia Vynnyk (photo: ukrwrestling.com.ua)
The World Championships in freestyle, women's, and Greco-Roman wrestling are underway in Zagreb, where Ukrainian wrestler Mariia Vynnyk has reached the final of the 59 kg weight category for the first time.
Confident victory over Canadian wrestler
Twenty-three-year-old Mariia Vynnyk faced Canadian wrestler Laurence Beauregard in the semifinal bout.
Although her opponent scored five points, the Ukrainian won 10:5, securing her first-ever final at an adult world championship.
This achievement marked her debut final at a senior world championship and became a historic success for the Ukrainian team.
Path to final: No points conceded in earlier rounds
At the start of the tournament, Vynnyk convincingly defeated Hungary's Erika Bognar (10:0) and 2023 World Championship bronze medalist Othelie Høie of Norway (11:0).
The Ukrainian showcased strong technical preparation, precise throws, and active control of the match, not conceding a single point in the earlier stages.
Final: Ukrainian versus Japanese
The final bout in the 59 kg weight category will take place on Tuesday, September 16, at 8:36 PM Kyiv time.
Mariia's opponent will be Japanese wrestler Sakura Onishi, who has already demonstrated a high level of skill at the tournament.
For the Ukrainian, this is the first opportunity to compete for a gold medal at a senior world championship.
Historic achievement for Ukraine's team
This is the first final for Ukrainian wrestlers at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb.
Until now, Ukrainian athletes had not reached the decisive bouts, so Vynnyk's performance holds special significance for the national team.
The world championship in the Croatian capital will last until September 21 and includes competitions in freestyle, women's and Greco-Roman wrestling, where Ukrainian athletes are striving to win new medals for the country.
