Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The excitement continued to build on Day 3 of the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games, a multisport extravaganza featuring 16 martial arts and combat sports, as Sumo and Wushu took center stage in the Saudi Arabian capital. With riveting performances from the 40 male and 40 female sumo wrestlers the previous day, expectations were high as men and women battled for supremacy in open weight categories.
In the female open weight division, Svitlana Yaromka of Ukraine clinched the gold medal, with compatriot Yelyzaveta Morenko taking silver. The bronze medals were awarded to Ukraine's Ivanna Berezovska and Japan's Airi Hisano.
On the men's side, the open weight division saw Hayato Miwa of Japan seize the gold, while Ukraine's Olkesandr Veresiuk secured the silver. Bronze medals went to Japan's Taisei Matsuzono and Ukraine's Vazha Daiauri.
Wushu enthusiasts were treated to a display of skill and artistry as Taolu athletes combined traditional martial arts with fluid artistic expression. Yi Li of Macao, China, secured the gold in the Jianshu and Qiangshu category with a score of 9.753. Cheon Min Tan of Malaysia claimed first place in Nanquan and Nandao with a score of 9.740, while Shuting Hu of the People's Republic of China emerged as the victor in Taijiquan and Taijijian with a score of 9.770.
In the men's Daoshu and Gunshu, Zhaohua Wu of China took the top spot with a final score of 9.803, while Liu Chang Min of Chinese Taipei secured first place in Nanquan and Nangun, scoring 9.756. An Hyeongi of the Republic of Korea earned gold in Taijiquan and Taijijian with a score of 9.730.
The Sanda finals featured eight athletes competing in a dynamic, full-contact discipline that left the crowd in awe. Yueyao Li of China claimed gold in the women's 52kg category, while Xiaowei Wu of China secured the 60kg division. Shahrbano Semiromi of the Islamic Republic of Iran triumphed in the 70kg division.
For the men, Haidong Jiang of China emerged as the gold medalist in the 56kg category. The 65kg division was won by Siefeldin El Mohamed Elsayed Mohsen of Egypt, and Zhaoyang Li of China took the top spot in the 70kg division. Saad Boujekka of Morocco seized victory in the 75kg category, with Mohammadreza Rigi of Iran being crowned the victor in the final weight category of 85kg.
With over 1,500 athletes from 120+ countries competing in Riyadh 2023, the stage is set for more thrilling action in the coming days. Up next on the competition calendar are Judo and Wrestling on Day 4, followed by Ju-Jitsu + Para Ju-Jitsu and Aikido + Para Aikido on Day 5. Kickboxing and Fencing will kick off on October 25, while Armwrestling + Para Armwrestling will begin on October 27. Taekwondo, Savate + Para Savate, and Muaythai + Para Muaythai will commence a day later. Lastly, the Kendo competition is scheduled to start on October 29.
For comprehensive results and the complete competition schedule of the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games, visit the official website. Viewers can catch all the live action through the official Riyadh 2023 website's livestream.
