Epenesa “Bugg” Elison has made history, winning the 57kg title at the 2026 U17 Wrestling World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
After taking home a silver medal at last year’s championships, Elison returned determined to go one step further. In the gold medal match, she defeated India’s Nikita Sowat by fall to become a U17 world champion. As the final whistle blew, the emotion of the moment overwhelmed her as months of hard work and sacrifice finally paid off.
For Elison, this victory represents more than just a world title. It is also a proud moment for her Samoan heritage.
She is the granddaughter of Faatonu Tiumalu from Satapuala, Upolu, and Epenesa Young Yen from Lelepa, Savai’i. Her Samoan roots have played an important role in shaping her character, discipline, and determination throughout her wrestling journey.
Raised in Southern California, Elison trains under coach Ruben Valencia at Monster Garage Wrestling, where she has developed into one of the world’s top young wrestlers. She is known for her aggressive style, relentless work ethic, and commitment to improving every day.
Away from the mat, Elison has spoken about how much she loves Samoan food and culture, even though being an elite athlete often means making sacrifices to meet competition weight requirements.
Now a junior at Los Altos High School, Elison is considered one of the brightest young talents in American wrestling. With a U17 world title now to her name, she has set her sights on even bigger goals, including representing the United States at the Olympic Games.
Her victory is not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for the Samoan community. From the villages of Satapuala and Lelepa to the world championship stage, Epenesa Elison is inspiring the next generation and showing that Samoan excellence continues to shine on the world stage.
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