Anti-Doping

Belt Wrestlers Fail Anti-Doping Test at Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games

Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 15:46 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (August 30) – United World Wrestling has suspended traditional belt wrestlers Rejepaly Orazalyyev (TKM) and Dinara Hallyyeva (TKM) following violations of the organization’s anti-doping policy during the 5th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games 2017 in Ashgabat.

United World Wrestling issued the tests on September 16 and 21 respectively and had them processed through a WADA-accredited laboratory in Doha.

Orazalyyev’s test indicated the presence of Oxandrolone, which is classified under class S1.1a (Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) and is prohibited at all times (in and out-of-competition). According to UWW’s records, no Therapeutic Use Exemption was delivered by UWW to justify the presence of Oxandrolone in the wrestler’s system. 

Hallyyeva’s test indicated the presence of Meldonium, which is classified under class S4 (Hormone and Metabolite Modulators) of the 2017 Prohibited List and is prohibited at all times (in and out-of-competition). According to UWW’s records, no Therapeutic Use Exemption was delivered by UWW to justify the presence of Meldonium in the wrestler’s system. 

A suspension of four years was imposed on Orazalyyev and will run from  February 7, 2018 until February 6, 2022

A suspension of four years was imposed on Hallyyeva and will run from February 9, 2018 until 6 February 8, 2022

 

#GrecoRoman

'Thank you, wrestling': Tokyo Olympic medalist Elsayed, 27, retires

Monday, July 14, 2025 - 10:34 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

EGYPT (July 14) -- Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) has announced his retirement from wrestling, concluding a distinguished career that included two Olympic appearances and two world U23 gold medals.

Elsayed posted on Instagram about his struggles with injuries and shared that the decision to retire was the "most difficult" for the 27-year-old wrestler.

"After many years of hard work, challenges, and victories [and] after I honored my country and raised its flag in internationally, and was able to achieve my dream and win an Olympic medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, I have reached the most difficult decision in my sports career.  I have decided to officially announce my retirement," Elsayed wrote in an emotional post.

Having won five gold medals at the African Championships, Elsayed was a trailblazer in Greco-Roman and was Egypt's new-found hope for the Olympics. He did not disappoint in Tokyo, where he had a surprising run to the semifinal, which he lost to Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), 7-6.

He bounced back in the bronze-medal bout and defeated Artem SURKOV (ROC), 1-1 to capture bronze, Egypt's first medal since 2012 London Olympics and only the third since 1960.

"Wrestling has always been more than just a sport to me," he wrote. "It was my life, my passion, and my support in the most difficult times. I thank God for every moment I lived on the mat and every moment of pride, and every encouragement I heard from my family, fans, and country."

One of the biggest achievements of Elsayed, apart from the Olympic medal, was winning successive world U23 gold medals in 2018 and 2019 at 67kg.

Elsayed expressed gratitude to various individuals who supported him throughout the journey including coaches and trainers. He also thanked wrestling.

"I thank every coach who helped me, every colleague who stood by me, and everyone who supported me with a kind word or a prayer from the heart. Thank you to everyone who was part of the journey.

"Thank you to wrestling, which taught me to be a man before being a champion."