#development

ASOIF: IFs discuss sustainability, development and education initiatives at ASOIF Forum

By United World Wrestling Press

LAUSANNEE, Switzerland (May 31) --- United World Wrestling's Development Director Deqa Niamkey led the ASOIF’s Forum on Sustainability, Development and Education (ASDEG) in Lausanne last week. Here's what ASOIF.com said about the event

Experts from 27 International Federations (IFs) governing Olympic summer and winter sports gathered this week at ASOIF’s Forum on Sustainability, Development and Education (ASDEG). The event was held on 24 and 25 May in Lausanne, Switzerland, led by the Chair of ASOIF’s ASDEG Group Deqa Niamkey from United World Wrestling (UWW).

For the first time, the Forum addressed the important field of sustainability which had been added recently to the group’s portfolio. The International Olympic Committee introduced the topic and shared best practice. World Sailing presented their Agenda 2030, an ambitious sustainability strategy that covers environmental, economic and social aspects. The International Hockey Federation offered insights into how an IF can kick-start the sustainability initiatives at an early stage.

After the pandemic had forced a two-year pause of the Forum, the participants also discussed how COVID-19 has changed their ways of working. UWW presented how the global health crisis has helped their federation embrace online education and showcased a number of online interactive tools, which are accessible to all sports. Meanwhile, World Curling shared how they financed education modules by offering online training courses for an enrolment fee to future umpires and ice technicians.

Deqa Niamkey said during the Forum: "After two years of pandemic, it was great to meet all the IF colleagues in person again at the Forum. We had insightful exchanges on the common challenges we have been facing. I am glad to see that more and more IFs are eager to work together on these important topics and I am looking forward to even more collaboration in the future."

Another important topic on the Forum’s agenda: how to optimise the support to National Federations (NFs). World Rugby introduced their benchmarking tool that has helped them to distribute funds to their member federations. The Badminton World Federation presented their targeted funding models driven by NF assessment data.

Representatives from Olympic Solidarity also joined in to give an update on their 2021-2024 Plan and the global development programmes. 

Organised annually, the Forum facilitates a united approach of a large number of IFs in the implementation of their projects in the fields of sustainability, education and development. This allows efficiencies in terms of human and financial resources, ensures a certain consistency across the sports and thereby maximises the impact of the related IF activities overall.

To learn more about ASOIF.com, click HERE.

#WrestleAthens

Uzbekistan closer to Women's Wrestling history at U17 Worlds

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 30) --  Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) is on the verge of creating history for Uzbekistan in Athens.

Wrestling at the World U17 Championships on Wednesday, Rakhimjonova became the first wrestler from Uzbekistan to reach the final of U17 Worlds.

 On Thursday, she will try to become the first wrestler to win a gold medal at any World Championships for Uzbekistan in Women's Wrestling.

She reached the 65kg final after beating European silver medalist Feenja HERMANN (GER), 6-1. In her earlier bouts, she had defeated Zuzanna HORBIK (POL), 6-4, and Alexandra MOISEI (MDA), 12-1.

Standing between her and the historic gold medal is Asian U17 champion Ashvini VISHNOI (IND), who was one of India's four finalists on Wednesday.

Vishnoi, who outscored her opponents 41-0 in four bouts, defeated European U17 champion Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW), 7-0, in the semifinal. After a slow start, Vishnoi got two takedowns in the second period, adding to her two stepouts and one passivity point in the match.

Former world U17 champion KAJAL (IND) will get a chance to avenge her loss from Asian Championships after she reached the final against Asian champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 73kg.

Qiu had humbled Kajal 10-0 in the final of the Asian U17 Championships a month ago in Vietnam. But if Kajal is in the form she showed on Wednesday, her chances to avenge that loss are high.

She defeated Pan-Am champion Ella Jo POALILLO (USA), 11-0, giving no chance to Poalillo. Kajal hit a couple of double-leg as counters to take down Poalillo.

Qiu pinned Deborah GARCIA (MEX) in the other semifinal when the Mexican tried to outside trip her. Qiu stood her ground and slammed Garcia before securing the fall.

Another Asian U17 Championships final will be replayed on Thursday, at 57kg, as champion MONI (IND) and silver medalist Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) won their respective semifinals and book their spots in the gold-medal bout.

Usmanov used a four-pointer against Sayuki TANADA (JPN) and secured the fall in two minutes and 36 seconds. With the loss of Tanada, Japan was left with only one finalist on Wednesday when five weight classes were in action.

Moni, like she had done all day, kept her defense and scored takedown whenever she could find an opening. After a passivity point, Moni scored three takedown to beat Alina BAROEVA (UWW), 7-0, in the semifinal.

At 43kg, RACHNA (IND) and Xin HUANG (CHN) made it to the final after contrasting wins. Rachna defended her 1-1 criteria lead over Madison HEALEY (USA) to win and make the final, Huang put on a takedown masterclass to beat European champion Raniia RAKHMANOVA (UWW) 8-0.

Turner closer to second world title

She is already a world U17 champion but there has been no lack of motivation for Morgan TURNER (USA) as she chases another at U17 level.

Morgan spent only two minutes and 24 seconds on the mat to win her three bouts on Wednesday and reach the final at 49kg in Athens.

A gold medalist from 2023 and bronze medalist from 2024, Morgan will face Yu KATAOKA (JPN) for the gold on Thursday. Like in typical Japanese style, Kataoka used five different takedowns to win 10-0 in her semifinal against Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW).

Morgan used a cradle to secure a fall over Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW), a returning bronze medalist and European champion.

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: RACHANA (IND) vs. Xin HUANG (CHN)

SF 1: RACHANA (IND) df. Madison HEALEY (USA), 1-1
SF 2: Xin HUANG (CHN) df. Raniia RAKHMANOV (UWW), 8-0

49kg
GOLD: Morgan TURNER (USA) vs. Yu KATAOKA (JPN)

SF 1: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Anhelina BURKINA (UWW), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Yu KATAOKA (JPN) df. Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW), 10-0

57kg
GOLD: Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) vs. MONI (IND)

SF 1: Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) df. Sayuki TANADA (JPN), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: MONI (IND) df. Alina BAROEVA (UWW), 7-0

65kg
GOLD: Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) vs. Ashvini VISHNOI (IND)

SF 1: Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) df. Feenja HERMANN (GER), 6-1 
SF 2: Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) df. Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW), 7-0

73kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) vs. Wenjin QIU (CHN)

SF 1: KAJAL (IND) df. Ella Jo POALILLO (USA), 11-0 
SF 2: Wenjin QIU (CHN) df. Deborah GARCIA (MEX), via fall