#development

Buenos Aires hosts 2022 More Than Medals camp

Monday, July 11, 2022 - 11:44 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (July 8) -- Aligned with the UWW strategy that focuses on youth development, 2022 More Than Medals Buenos Aires U20 was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from June 27 to July 3.

For seven days, 50 wrestlers and coaches from 10 countries took part in the camp, allowing young athletes to exchange experiences and create good memories.

Three gold medalists, seven silver medalists, and eleven bronze medalists from the U17 Pan-American Championships participate in this camp.

An anti-doping seminar was also conducted by Silvina Valoppi from the national anti-doping agency. The seminar was centered on general anti-doping rules, the rights & responsibilities of athletes & coaches (rules for minors and adults), testing procedures, clean sports values, and ethics.

The training sessions were dictated by each national coach, giving a chance to wrestlers to experience other countries' training styles and learn new ways.

ARGMore Than Medals participants share a laugh during a training session at the camp in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) and Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) joined the camp as ambassadors and shared their techniques and experience with the youngsters and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in wrestling.

A fun activity day was organized with the support of the Argentina Wrestling Federation with sightseeing in the traditional Buenos Aires neighborhood Caminito, in La Boca, and also the traditional emblem of the city El Obelisco.

This camp once again marked the success of the continued More than Medals program that United World Wrestling has been offering to young athletes since 2017.

#WrestleBelgrade

Makhmudov returns to worlds final; Kayaalp-Mirzazadeh showdown at 130kg

Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 16:22 By Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 21) -- World champion and Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) survived a big scare in the semifinal of the 77kg weight class as Nao KUSAKA (JPN) came within three points of stunning the Kyrgyz history maker.

Makhmudov survived to win 7-5 in a bout that saw Kusaka mount a comeback in the second period after trailing 7-1.

Kusaka got the first passivity advantage but failed to get any turn on Makhmudov who got a takedown using an arm spin and one turn to lead 4-1. In the second period, Kusaka was called passive and Makhmudov managed to turn him again to make it 7-1.

But as Makhmudov began to fade away, Kusaka scored two takedowns in one minute to make it 7-5. Makhmudov defended his two-point lead for the final 15 seconds to make it to the final.

"It makes me realize I am not so far from the world level," Kusaka said about his performance. "In the second period, the opponent was running out of gas. I just needed to get one more move. But there was fatigue from the tournament overall. I wanted to attack but I couldn't. I'm still a bit behind."

Kusaka still has a chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics if he wins a bronze medal on Friday.

"I will try to get what I have put everything in my life into," he said about qualifying for Paris. "It was disappointing [to lose today], but tomorrow I will regroup and definitely come out and win. Whether I lose in the first round or in the semifinal, if I don't get to the Olympics it's all for nothing."

Makhmudov will take on 2021 world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) for the gold medal. Suleymanov put on a big show to defeat European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) 5-0 as he got a big four-pointer in the second period to get the win.

Both Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan also won Paris Olympic spots, thanks to the wrestlers reaching the final at the World Championships.

At 130kg, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will look to defend his gold against Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) in the final, a repeat from last year.

Kayaalp, a three-time Olympic champion, defeated Lingzhe MENG (CHN), 3-1 and earned a Paris spot for Turkiye. Kayaalp got the third passivity but Meng did not ask for par terre and Kayaalp remained unmoved to win 3-1.

Mirzazadeh defeated Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB), 1-1, in the other semifinal after the two traded passivities. He also earned a Paris quota for Iran and will now look to become a world champion over Kayaalp.

In the two non-Olympic weight classes in action on Thursday, Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) returned to the World Championships final after two years as he defeated defending champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 5-5, in a thrilling semifinal after a third passivity.

Huseynov had defeated Akbudak to win gold in 2021 but since has lost twice to Akbudak. He was trailing 5-0 in the semifinal but Huseynov, who received the par terre advantage in the second period managed to get exposure and two points to cut Akbudak's lead to 5-3.

Akbudak was called passive again with 1:10 on the clock and Huseynov was called for a leg foul when he was attempting a lift. Azerbaijan challenged and Akbudak was guilty of blocking. The caution and two points put Huseynov ahead 5-5 on criteria, a lead he defended till the end.

To win his second world gold medal, Huseynov will take on Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) who also won on a third passvity. Mihail BRADU (MDA) was leding 1-1 on criteria when he was called passive for the second time and Mohamadipiani got a huge bodylock for four to win 5-1.

At 55kg, defending world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) set up a repeat final against Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO).

Azizli got a 3-1 win over Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) while Tsurtsumia defeated Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), 7-4, in what was a repeat of the quarterfinal from 2022 which the Georgian won 5-2.