Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – At the midway point of the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games, Team Ukraine has surged ahead in the medals table, clinching an impressive 16 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze medals. The Ukrainian athletes have showcased their prowess, particularly excelling in the field of wrestling, where they've secured a remarkable 15 out of their 31 medals.
In the high-intensity competitions of full-contact Pankration and semi-contact Pankration Athlima, Ukrainian athletes have achieved remarkable success, claiming gold medals across six separate men's and women's weight categories. Among the men, Oleksandr Huliaiev emerged victorious in the 71kg category, Kyrylo Horobets triumphed in the 84kg, Roman Kiziuk conquered the 92kg, and Bohdan Hnidko seized the 100kg title. It was Ali Guliyev of Azerbaijan who managed to break Ukraine's winning streak by clinching gold in the 66kg division.
Roman Kiziuk, who secured two gold medals, expressed his indescribable joy at the accomplishment and credited his success to his coaches, training partners, and the support of his parents.
In the women's Pankration, Anna Baezhenar of Ukraine clinched the 53kg title, while Khilola Sobirova from Uzbekistan emerged as the champion in the 57kg category. Daria Chibisova of Ukraine claimed the top spot in the 65kg, while Germany's Lorena Nicole Cubero Gamero secured gold in the 70kg division. Madeline Alyce Shellman of the USA topped the podium in the 80kg category.
Day 6 of the World Combat Games also featured Ju-Jitsu competitions, highlighting Ju-Jitsu Fighting and Ne-Waza, emphasizing self-defense and ground grappling techniques. In the women's Ne-Waza -52 kg category, Jenna Kaila Napolis of the Philippines emerged as the winner, while the -70 kg category saw Denise Kruahn of Germany securing gold. Laura Valentina Castillo of Colombia clinched the +70kg gold.
In the men's competitions, Lukas Bombik of Germany claimed gold in the Fighting -94 kg division, while Kunathip Yea-On of Thailand secured the +94 kg title. Khaled Alshehhi of the UAE emerged as the winner in the -62 kg Ne-Waza category, with Abdulmalik Al Murdhi of Saudi Arabia securing the second position.
The kickboxing competitions at Riyadh 2023 commenced with athletes displaying their skills in Low Kick and Point Fighting. Low Kick focuses on powerful leg strikes, while Point Fighting emphasizes controlled hits to score points.
Aikido concluded its presence in Riyadh with eight demonstration teams showcasing various aspects of the martial art. Fencing made its debut at Riyadh 2023, introducing its distinct Épée and Sabre styles. In women's individual Sabre, Saudi Arabia's Danah Alqahtani secured gold, while in women's individual Épée, Zainab Alhosani of the UAE claimed the first position.
The World Combat Games, hosting over 1,500 athletes from more than 120 countries, celebrate the essence and values of combat sports and martial arts. This international multi-sport event provides a platform for athletes to exhibit their skills to a global audience and promote participation in combat sports, contributing to public health and wellness initiatives.
