#DanKolov2019

Dan Kolov Day Two Finals Set

By Eric Olanowski

RUSE, Bulgaria (February 28) - Eight different nations inserted at least one wrestler into Friday night's Dan Kolov freestyle and women's wrestling finals. Russia led the finalist count with three freestyle representatives, but they can only claim a pair of medals because Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS) and Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS) will wrestle each other for the 70kg gold medal.

To make the 70kg finals, Bekbulatov thumped Asian Games bronze medalist Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB), Rio fifth-place finisher Frank Aniello MOLINARO (USA), and two-time Russian National runner-up Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), outscoring the three by a combined score of 28-2. 

In the finals, he'll meet fellow Russian Anzor Zakuev, who's making his first senior-level finals appearance. To reach the gold-medal match, Zakuev defeated Ukraine's two-time Olympian Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR), 4-1, in the semifinals.

Russia's third freestyle finalist is Magomed KURBANOV (RUS). Tenth-ranked Kurbanov will take on Georgia's Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) in the 92kg gold-medal bout. 

Indian's Sandeep TOMAR (IND) will lace up against returning 57kg world runner-up Nurislam (Artas) SANAYEV (SANAA) (KAZ). But, the match will be up a weight class at 61kg. Sanayev destroyed the United States' 2018 world bronze medalist Joe COLON, 13-2, locking up his spot in the finals, and Tomar shutout Turkey's Munir AKTAS (TUR), 4-0, to reach his second Ranking Series final in the last two seasons. Last year, he lost to Iran's Mohammad YAKHKESHI for the Yasar Dogu gold. 

The lone remaining freestyle gold-medal matchup comes at 79kg where and is between Alexander DIERINGER (USA) and Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU). The American used a 5-1 win over U23 world champion Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) to reach the finals, and Nazhmudinov inked his way to the gold-medal match with a 7-4 win over Russia's Atsamaz SANAKOEV. 

Meanwhile, in women's wrestling, Sakshi MALIK (IND) stunned defending world champion Petra OLLI (FIN), 4-1, and grabbed the biggest shocker of the tournament.  

The Rio Olympic bronze medalist will wrestle Sweden's 2010 world bronze medalist Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) for the Dan Kolov title. Johansson reached the finals by sticking Maya NELSON (USA) in her semifinals bout. This will be Johansson's second finals appearance in the past two weeks, as she's coming off a gold-medal performance at the Klippan Lady Open. 

Circling back to the 55kg finals where Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) will meet Greece's Maria PREVOLARAKI for the gold medal. Sedneva grabbed arguably the second biggest upset of the tournament with her semifinals pin over reigning world champion Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR). 

The 59kg weight class had four entries and is a round-robin competition, so the final gold-medal bout on Friday night will be at 72kg, where Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR) will meet fourth-ranked Buse TOSUN (TUR). 

Wrestling resumes tomorrow at 10:00 (local time) with the Friday night finals starting at 18:00. 

SCHEDULE
March 1 (Friday) 

8:00 - Medical examination and weigh-in 1 - FS - 57, 65, 74; GR (+ 2 kg) - 87, 97, 130; WW - 62, 68, 76kg
8: 30 - Weigh-in 2 FS - 61,70,79, 92 kg; GR (+ 2 kg) - 55,63,72,82 kg; WW - 55,59,65, 72 kg Referee meeting
10: 00 - Elimination rounds FS - 57, 65, 74; GR - 87, 97, 130; WW - 62, 68, 76 kg
10: 00 - Repechages FS - 61, 70, 79, 92kg; GR - 55, 63, 72, 82kg; WW - 55, 59, 65, 72kg
16: 30 - Draw - FS - 86, 97, 125; GR - 60, 67, 77kg; WW - 50, 53, 57kg
17: 00 - Semi-finals FS - 57, 65, 74; GR - 87, 97, 130; WW - 62, 68, 76kg
18:00 - Final matches and awarding ceremony - FS - 61,70,79, 92kg; GR - 55, 63, 72, 82kg; WW - 55, 59, 65, 72kg

RESULTS
Freestyle
61kg
GOLD - Sandeep TOMAR (IND) vs. Nurislam (Artas) SANAYEV (SANAA) (KAZ)
SEMIFINAL - Nurislam (Artas) SANAYEV (SANAA) (KAZ) df. Joseph Daniel COLON (USA), 13-2 
SEMIFINAL - Sandeep TOMAR (IND) df. Munir AKTAS (TUR), 4-0 

70kg 
GOLD - Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS) vs. Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS)

SEMIFINAL - Anzor ZAKUEV (RUS) df. Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR), 4-1 
SEMIFINAL - Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS) df. Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), 10-0 

79kg
GOLD - Alexander DIERINGER (USA) vs. Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU) 
SEMIFINAL - Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU) df. Atsamaz SANAKOEV (RUS), 7-4 
SEMIFINAL - Alexander David DIERINGER (USA) df. Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO), 5-1 

92kg
GOLD - Magomed KURBANOV (RUS) vs. Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) 
SEMIFINAL - Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 7-4 
SEMIFINAL - Magomed KURBANOV (RUS) df. Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA), 3-2 

Women's Wrestling 
55kg
GOLD - Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) 
SEMIFINAL - Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Roksana ZASINA (POL), 3-1

SEMIFINAL - Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) df. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR), via fall 

59kg
Round-Robin - Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Kornelija ZAICEVAITE (LTU), via forfeit
Round-Robin - Pooja DHANDA (IND) df. Sarita SARITA (IND), 4-3

65kg
GOLD - Henna Katarina JOHANSSON (SWE) vs. Sakshi MALIK (IND)
SEMIFINAL - Sakshi MALIK (IND) df. Petra OLLI (FIN), 4-1
SEMIFINAL - Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Maya NELSON (USA), via fall. 

72kg
GOLD - Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR) vs. Buse TOSUN (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 9-6 
SEMIFINAL - Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR) df. YAN Chuchu (CHN), 6-2 

Development

Iraqi Wrestling Federation host 2nd course for Coaches and Referees

By United World Wrestling Press

Baghdad, Iraq (June 17) – The Iraqi Wrestling Federation continues to look to provide education for their coaches and referees. From May 25-30, the IRQ Federation hosted a Level 2 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course.  These were conducted in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling.  The coaching course was led by Mr. Hassan Madany (EGY) and the referee course was led by Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael (IRQ).  

The Level 2 coaching course focused on the designing and implementing of practice plans.  There were 25 coaches that participated in the course.  The participants The following topics were covered throughout the course: seven basic skills of wrestling, introduction to performance analysis designing effective practice sessions, and technical session. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations.  “The atmosphere was comfortable and collaborative, creating an excellent learning environment. Everyone was eager to engage with the course content across various topics, but there was particular enthusiasm for match performance analysis and practical application.  Notably, most participants were former international players, including some who competed in the London 2012 Olympics in the 130 kg Greco-Roman category, such as Coach Ali Nazem. Their presence significantly enhanced the course level, especially in the practical aspects.  In the end, I was pleased to be part of this course and to work alongside such a distinguished group of coaches.” Said Mr. Madany.

The Introduction to Refereeing Course was the first-ever women-only course in Iraq.  This course had 17 women who were new to refereeing.  The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee.  The areas covered during the course included:  safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout.  The participants were active during the course and were able to practice their skills through practical evaluations.  “The course was conducted successfully and demonstrated strong organization throughout. The participants showed a high level of enthusiasm, which was clearly reflected in their active engagement during the sessions. Despite all attendees having no prior experience in wrestling, their overall performance was commendable. Several participants displayed exceptional comprehension and aptitude, which was evident in their practical application of refereeing skills during the championship held the day after the course concluded.” Said Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael.

At the conclusion of the courses, the Iraqi Wrestling Federation organized a competition. The competition allowed the coaches and referees to directly practice the new skills that they learned.

“First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the International Wrestling Federation and the Development Committee of the Federation for their continuous support in developing wrestling in Iraq. Regarding the training and refereeing course, which concluded with great success, the lecturers Hassan Madani and Hadi Hassan presented valuable and useful expertise and information, which was well received and appreciated by all participants”. said Mr. Shaalan Abdulkadhim, President of Iraqi Wrestling Federation.

IRQParticipants gather for a group photo following the conclusion of the Level 2 Coaching Course in Baghdad. (Photo: United World Wrestling) 

Quotes from some of the participants:

“The course was of great importance, particularly due to the inclusion of practical applications, which proved to be the most engaging and beneficial aspect for the participants. These hands-on sessions complemented the theoretical lectures, which focused on thoroughly studying the core materials and concepts before transitioning to their practical implementation.” – Hoyam Jazea

“The course was very enjoyable and rich with valuable information that has already benefited us and will certainly be useful in the future. Although the duration of the course was short, the knowledge we gained was impactful and left a lasting impression. For future, I hope there will be more courses, as it would allow us to deepen our understanding and expand our knowledge of refereeing.” – Saja Tariq

"The overall impression of the Level 1 Wrestling Refereeing Course was very positive. It was a well-structured and fruitful course that provided a solid introduction to the fundamentals of wrestling, including basic techniques, refereeing principles, mat movement, and scoring methods. The theoretical component was clearly presented, and the instructor’s approach to delivering the material was excellent, making the information easy to understand and absorb.” – Rusul Falah