European Games

Beleniuk, Aleksanyan, Hryshchanka Claim Golds on Final Day of European Games

Sunday, June 30, 2019 - 14:55 By United World Wrestling Press

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MINSK, Belarus (June 30) - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), one of the world's most decorated Greco-Roman wrestlers, can now add European Games gold medalist to a resume that includes an Olympic gold, three world titles and four European titles.

The 27-year-old Armenian shut out local favorite Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) 5-0 in the gold-medal match at 97kg in Greco-Roman on the final day of the European Games at the Minsk Sports Palace.

Aleksanyan scored a passivity point in the first period and led 1-0 at the break. He pulled away in the second period, going up 3-0 before executing a gut wrench with a little over a minute remaining in the match.

World No.1 Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) claimed the gold medal at 87kg, improving on his silver-medal performance at the previous European Games in 2015. Beleniuk, a 2015 world champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, defeated multiple-time U23 world medalist Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 3-1 in the gold-medal match. It was a rematch of this year's European Championships gold-medal match at 87kg, which Beleniuk won 5-1. 

On Sunday, the 28-year-old Ukrainian scored first off a passivity and then used a gut wrench to go up 3-0 in the first period. Abbasov, ranked No.5 in the world, would add a point off a passivity in the second period, but Beleniuk would hang on to win by two. He celebrated with a victory dance on the mat. 

Kiryl HRYSHCHANKA (BLR) sent the home crowd into a frenzy by winning a gold medal at 130kg in the final wrestling match of the European Games. He topped multiple-time European medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) 5-1 in the finals. The Belarusian heavyweight went down 1-0 before turning the tables. With Kajaia looking for a turn in par terre, Hryshchanka reversed the action and put the Georgian in trouble, nearly securing a fall and gaining two points in the process. He then used an exposure to go up 4-1. He would add a passivity point in the final period to win by four. 

World No.4 Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), a two-time world bronze medalist, earned a bronze medal at 87kg by defeating Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 7-1. The other bronze medal at 87kg was won by Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL), who picked up a 7-1 victory over Radzik KULIYEU (BLR). Kulynycz trailed at the break before scoring seven unanswered points in the second period. 

Felix BALDAUF (NOR), a 2017 European champion, took home a bronze medal at 97kg with a 6-1 win over Olympic bronze medalist Cenk ILDEM (TUR). Two-time U23 world champion Aleksandr GOLOVIN (RUS) rebounded from a semifinal loss to Aleksanyan to beat Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO) 5-1 for a bronze medal at 97kg.

A pair of 2016 Olympic bronze medalists won bronze medals at 130kg, Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) and Sabah SHARIATI (AZE). Semenov, a returning world champion, dominated Mykola KUCHMII (UKR) 10-1. Shariati edged Oskar MARVIK (NOR) 3-2, scoring the go-ahead takedown with just under two minutes remaining.  It's Shariati's second European Games medal as he won a silver medal in 2015. 

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

87kg
GOLD - Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE - Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) df. Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), 7-1
BRONZE - Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) df. Radzik KULIYEU (BLR), 7-1

97kg
GOLD - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR), 5-0
BRONZE - Felix BALDAUF (NOR) df. Cenk ILDEM (TUR), 6-1
BRONZE - Aleksandr GOLOVIN (RUS) df. Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO), 5-1

130kg
GOLD - Kiryl HRYSHCHANKA (BLR) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), 5-1
BRONZE - Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) df. Mykola KUCHMII (UKR), 10-1
BRONZE - Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) df. Oskar MARVIK (NOR), 3-2

#development

UWW unites UNAOC on #OneHumanity Campaign to promote global change

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 - 12:31 By United World Wrestling Press

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VEVEY, Switzerland (November 7) --- United World Wrestling (UWW) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) have joined forces to support the #OneHumanity campaign. This collaboration aims to harness the power of sports to promote social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and peace-building efforts worldwide.

As part of their partnership, UWW and UNAOC will work together to leverage the global reach and influence of wrestling to advance the goals of the #OneHumanity campaign.

The campaign, initiated by UNAOC, focuses on fostering unity, understanding, and solidarity among diverse communities through the shared values of respect, inclusion, and equality.

By uniting their efforts, UWW and UNAOC aim to utilize wrestling as a platform to advocate for social change and create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration across cultures. Through this collaboration, both organizations seek to highlight the transformative power of sports in promoting harmony and breaking down societal barriers.

The #OneHumanity campaign emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and empowering individuals to become agents of positive change. UWW's dedication to promoting inclusivity and UNAOC's commitment to intercultural dialogue align seamlessly with the campaign's core principles.

"We are thrilled to partner with United World Wrestling in promoting the #OneHumanity campaign," said Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative for UNAOC. "Wrestling, with its deep-rooted history and global appeal, serves as an ideal vehicle to convey the message of unity and togetherness. Together, we can inspire individuals and communities to embrace diversity and work towards a more inclusive and peaceful world."

As part of their collaborative efforts, UWW and UNAOC will organize joint initiatives, awareness campaigns, and educational programs that highlight the values of respect, diversity, and equality. Through these activities, they aim to engage wrestling communities, athletes, coaches, and fans in promoting a culture of inclusivity and social cohesion.

"We are honored to partner with UNAOC for the #OneHumanity campaign," said Mr. Nenad LALOVIC, President of United World Wrestling. "Wrestling transcends borders, cultures, and backgrounds, and we firmly believe in its power to bring people together. By collaborating with UNAOC, we can leverage wrestling's global reach to promote understanding, respect, and unity among individuals from all walks of life."

The collaboration between United World Wrestling and UNAOC for the #OneHumanity campaign is a testament to the shared commitment to harness the power of sports for social good. Together, they aim to create a lasting impact and inspire positive change within the wrestling community and beyond.

About United World Wrestling:

United World Wrestling is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling and oversees wrestling competitions across the globe. With a commitment to promoting fair play, inclusivity, and gender equality, UWW strives to inspire athletes and contribute to the development of wrestling as a sport and a way of life.

About UNAOC:

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a political initiative of the United Nations that works towards bridging divides and promoting understanding between cultures and religions. Through various programs and partnerships, UNAOC seeks to create a more inclusive and harmonious world by addressing issues of youth, migration, media, education, and women as agents of peace.