Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler Egor Yakushenko has demonstrated an outstanding performance at the U23 World Championships held in Las Vegas. The athlete, competing in the 97 kg weight category, confidently advanced through the tournament bracket to the final, where he vied for the title of world's best. Despite his best efforts, Yakushenko conceded to Belarusian representative Abubakar Khaslakhanov with a narrow score of 1:2, finishing as the World Vice-Champion.
Road to the podium and team results
For Egor Yakushenko, this achievement marks another important milestone in his rapidly developing career. Notably, at the end of August 2026, the talented wrestler celebrated success at the U20 World Championships, where he won a gold medal. Reaching the final of the world championship in the U23 category confirms the athlete's high caliber and his ability to compete at the top level across different age groups.
Other Ukrainian wrestlers also participated in the championship alongside him. Evgeny Pokovba competed for a bronze medal in the 60 kg weight category but lost the decisive match to Japanese wrestler Seimi Tokuhara with a score of 4:9, finishing in fifth place. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian team continues its journey in Las Vegas, with Irfan Mirzoev remaining a contender for a medal, preparing to compete in the bronze medal match in the 77 kg weight category.
Contradictory data
At this moment, there are no significant discrepancies in the reports regarding the final score of the deciding bout between Yakushenko and Khaslakhanov. However, it is worth noting that some sources highlight the officiating nuances in wrestling, typical for matches decided by a minimal point difference (1:2). Despite this, the status of the silver medalist is confirmed by official data from the Wrestling Association of Ukraine.
Prospects for the Ukrainian team
The U23 World Championships in Las Vegas remain in an active phase, providing the Ukrainian national team with additional opportunities to bolster their medal count. The success of young athletes like Yakushenko serves as a powerful stimulus for the development of Greco-Roman wrestling in Ukraine. Experts note that despite the disappointing loss in the final, a silver medal at a competition of this level is a significant achievement for the Ukrainian sports school.
