Jia Long, Zhumanazarova Set Up 68kg World Final
China’s Jia Long and Kyrgyzstan’s Meerim Zhumanazarova have booked their places in the women’s 68kg final at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships. Both wrestlers produced strong semifinal performances on October 28 in Astana, setting up a high-profile contest for the world title.
Long defeated Czech Republic’s Adela Hanzlickova 7-2, while Zhumanazarova overcame Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan 5-1. The final will determine which wrestler claims another world championship title, as both athletes have previously won gold at the senior World Championships.
Jia Long Beats Hanzlickova to Reach 68kg Final
Jia Long continued her impressive run in the women’s 68kg category with a 7-2 semifinal victory over Adela Hanzlickova. The Chinese wrestler opened the contest with a takedown, although Hanzlickova responded with a takedown of her own to keep the match competitive.
Long regained control as the bout progressed, adding two more takedowns and a point for a step-out. Her ability to respond after conceding points helped her maintain the advantage and secure a place in the gold-medal match.
The result was another important step for Long, who entered the championship as the returning world bronze medallist. She has also established herself as a leading competitor in the division, having won a world silver medal in 2022 and the Asian title in 2023.
Long’s experience at major international competitions will be crucial in the final, where she faces a familiar opponent with a strong record of her own.
Meerim Zhumanazarova Overcomes Enkhsaikhan
Meerim Zhumanazarova secured the second place in the 68kg final after defeating Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan 5-1 in a closely contested semifinal. The Kyrgyz wrestler had already made a strong statement in the quarterfinals by pinning American Kennedy Blades.
The semifinal against Enkhsaikhan proved more demanding. Zhumanazarova was leading 1-1 on the criteria before being placed on the activity clock in the second period. She responded with a double-leg attack that produced a takedown and gave her a 3-1 lead.
Enkhsaikhan attempted to find a decisive takedown late in the match, but Zhumanazarova defended effectively and scored another takedown to seal the 5-1 victory.
The win puts the Kyrgyz wrestler one step away from another world title. She previously won the women’s 68kg world championship in 2021 and has also earned an Olympic silver medal, making her one of the most experienced wrestlers in the field.
World Wrestling Championships: Other Finals Confirmed
The women’s 68kg final was one of several gold-medal matchups confirmed on Wednesday in Astana. Japan’s Moe Kiyooka reached the 53kg final after defeating China’s Jin Zhang 6-0, while Ecuador’s Lucia Yepez booked the other place with a 10-0 victory over the United States’ Cristelle Rodriguez.
At 62kg, Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki edged Nigeria’s Esther Kolawale 2-1 to move within one win of a third world title. American Adaugo Nwachukwu joined her in the final after beating Bulgaria’s Bilyana Dudova 5-2.
The 72kg category also produced a notable result for Poland. Wiktoria Choluj reached the final after pinning American Precious Bell following an 11-0 lead. She will face China’s Zelu Li, who defeated Kazakhstan’s four-time world silver medallist Zhamila Bakbergenova 4-2.
Choluj’s qualification marks Poland’s first senior women’s wrestling world finalist in 12 years. The country will now have an opportunity to pursue its first women’s wrestling world title in 25 years.
Jia Long vs Meerim Zhumanazarova: 68kg Gold at Stake
The upcoming final brings together two accomplished wrestlers with contrasting strengths and considerable international experience. Long has demonstrated her attacking ability throughout the competition, while Zhumanazarova has combined effective counterattacks with strong defensive control.
Their previous meeting at the 2026 Budapest Ranking Series offers additional context for the contest. Long won that 68kg final 4-0, using a takedown and a gut-wrench turn to establish an early lead before shutting down Zhumanazarova’s attacks in the second period.
That result gives Long a recent victory over her opponent, but a world championship final presents a fresh challenge. Zhumanazarova will have the opportunity to respond on the biggest stage, while Long will aim to turn her semifinal momentum into another world title.
With both wrestlers seeking another major championship triumph, the 68kg final promises to be one of the key contests of the women’s wrestling competition in Astana.
