A year after a very complicated injury, Adéla Hanzlíčková returned to the world stage – and is coming home from the Senior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, with a bronze medal in the women’s 68 kg category. She pinned three opponents, lost only to the eventual world champion and decided the bronze bout in the final seconds.
At a glance
- Event: 2026 Senior World Championships, Astana (Kazakhstan), October 2026
- Discipline: women’s wrestling, 68 kg
- Result: bronze medal
- Coach: Jan Žižka
The road to the medal
Adéla went through to the semi-final without a slip, pinning all three opponents. Only J. Long stopped her – and went on to become world champion.
- Qualification: Hanzlíčková – E. Doornaert, win by fall at 6:0
- Round of 16: Hanzlíčková – N. Szabados, win by fall at 4:1
- Quarter-final: Hanzlíčková – N. Bas, win by fall at 11:8
- Semi-final: Hanzlíčková – J. Long 2:7, loss on points
- Bronze medal bout: Hanzlíčková – M. Skobelska (Ukraine) 6:6, win on criteria
The final seconds decided the bronze
In the bronze medal bout against Ukraine’s M. Skobelska, Adéla levelled the score at 6:6 in the final seconds. With the points tied, the criteria went her way – and the medal was Czech.
Back after a complicated injury
Adéla Hanzlíčková has represented the Czech Republic since 2013, competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics and holds three medals from the Senior European Championships. She is a member of the Olymp Praha state sports centre and is coached by Jan Žižka. A year before the championships she suffered a very complicated injury – which makes her return to the world stage with a medal all the more valuable.
Greetings from the World Championships! I’ve just won bronze. I don’t even really know how it happened, but I’m incredibly happy. This medal is worth gold to me. A year ago I could barely walk, I had just had surgery – and now I’m leaving with a bronze medal.
Adéla Hanzlíčková, 2026 World Championships bronze medallist
We saw an incredible bronze medal bout. In the final seconds Adéla turned the match around, levelled the score and won bronze. She performed brilliantly throughout the championships and lost only to the eventual world champion. What she has achieved after a very complicated injury a year ago is remarkable. After a year she returned to the world stage and leaves with bronze for herself and for Czech wrestling. I want to thank Adéla for her performance and result, and coach Jan Žižka for guiding her along this whole journey. Once again, thank you both for what you have achieved.
Robert Mazouch, President of the Czech Wrestling Federation
The Czech Wrestling Federation and JANDASPORT on the road to LA 2028
We have long supported the Czech Wrestling Federation with its communication – from social media and content with national team members to the 2025 European Championships and the federation’s 130th anniversary. Together we are heading for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A medal at the Senior World Championships is one of the most significant milestones of our partnership so far – and stories like Adéla’s comeback are exactly what we want to help as many people as possible see.
Frequently asked questions
Which medal did Adéla Hanzlíčková win at the 2026 World Championships?
Bronze, at the 2026 Senior World Championships in Astana, in women’s wrestling, 68 kg.
Who did she beat in the bronze medal bout?
Ukraine’s M. Skobelska. The bout ended 6:6; Adéla levelled in the final seconds and won on criteria.
Who is Adéla Hanzlíčková?
A Czech wrestler, national team member since 2013, Rio 2016 Olympian and three-time Senior European Championships medallist. She is a member of the Olymp Praha state sports centre, coached by Jan Žižka.
