Ukraine's Anastasiia Alpieieva wins historic wrestling world championship gold
Ukrainian wrestler Anastasiia Alpieieva has won gold in the women's 76 kg freestyle category at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, securing Ukraine's first medal of the tournament.
Alpieieva defeated India's 18-year-old Kajal Dhochhak 8–6 in the final on October 28.
The match was tied 4–4 before Alpieieva scored four points with just 13 seconds remaining. Dhochhak narrowed the gap, but the Ukrainian held on to claim the title.
Alpieieva reached the final after defeating Turkey's Kadriye Koçak Aksoy 11–0 in the semifinals.
The victory marks Alpieieva's first senior world championship medal, improving on her previous best finish of fifth place in 2025.
It is also Ukraine's first-ever women's world championship gold in the heaviest weight category, which has ranged from 72 to 76 kg over the years. Ukrainian wrestlers had previously won only bronze medals in the division.