#YasarDogu

Diakomihalis Dazzles in Wins Over Retherford and Musukaev, Two Other Americans Reach #YasarDogu Finals

Friday, July 12, 2019 - 14:33 By Eric Olanowski

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (July 12) --- Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) dazzled in his first international senior-level competition and erased a 9-0 semifinals deficit to move into the 65kg Yasar Dogu finals. He was one of three American wrestlers who reached the Day 3 gold-medal bout at the final Ranking Series event of the season. 

The two-time cadet world champion kicked off his day with an impressive 9-5 victory over the United States’ current 65kg world team member, Zain RETHERFORD (USA). 

This was the fourth time Diakomihalis and Retherford have faced off against each other in the last two months. With his win on Friday morning, Diakomihalis evened the series at two matches apiece -- leaving the United States with a head-scratching decision on who to enter at 65kg into September’s Nur-Sultan World Championships. 

Diakomihalis followed that up with a 13-2 victory over Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE), and set up a semifinals match with former two-time Russian National runner-up Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN), who now competes for Hungary. 

In the semifinals, Diakomihalis’ now-Hungarian opponent built a 9-0 lead but crumbled in the second period and gave up three cautions -- disqualifying him from the match. 

In the final period of his semifinals match, the American scored nine unanswered points from two takedowns (cradle and a double leg), a pair of steps outs, and three caution-and-one’s -- which disqualified Musukaev from the match. 

Diakomihalis will wrestle Haji ALI (BRN) on Saturday night for the 65kg gold medal. Ali closed out his run to the finals with a 6-3 victory over Cengizhan ERDOGAN (TUR) in the other semifinal. 

Alexander DIERINGER (USA) and Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) were the two other Americans who locked up their spot in the Day 3 Yasar Dogu finals. 

Dieringer will wrestle Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) in the 79kg finals, while Gwiazdowski will take on the three-time world and Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) in the 125kg finals. 

The Day 3 finals begin on Saturday at 17:00 (local time) and can be watched live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

Freestyle

65kg
GOLD - John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) vs. Haji Mohamad ALI (BRN)
SEMIFINAL - John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN), 9-9 (via cautions)
SEMIFINAL - Haji Mohamad ALI (BRN) df. Cengizhan ERDOGAN (TUR), 6-3

79kg
GOLD - Alexander DIERINGER (USA) vs. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
SEMIFINAL - Alexander David DIERINGER (USA) df. Bahman TEYMOURI (IRI)
SEMIFINAL - Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Muhammet Nuri KOTANOGLU (TUR), 2-2 

125kg
GOLD - Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
SEMIFINAL - Nicholas Edward GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) df. Sumit SUMIT (IND), 
SEMIFINAL - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df.Yadollah Mohammadkazem MOHEBI (IRI), 10-0 

Women’s Wrestling

53kg
GOLD - Vinesh VINESH (IND) vs. Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) df. Liliya HORISHNA (UKR), 7-5
SEMIFINAL - Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. Iryna HUSYAK (UKR), 14-4

57kg
GOLD – Tetyana KIT (UKR) vs. Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
SEMIFINAL - Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), 6-3 
SEMIFINAL - Tetyana KIT (UKR) df. Emese BARKA (HUN), via injury default 

62kg
GOLD – Marianna SASTIN (HUN) vs. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Anzhela FOMENKO (RUS), via fall 
SEMIFINAL - Marianna SASTIN (HUN) df. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 4-2 

68kg
GOLD – Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) vs. Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) df. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), 8-1 
SEMIFINAL - Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) df. Anna Carmen SCHELL (GER), 5-2 

#development

ASDEC Chair Niamkey Leads Workshop on Sports Development

Monday, May 11, 2026 - 07:14 By United World Wrestling Press

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (May 9) -- Collaboration, innovation and open exchange was at the heart of a two-day workshop, organised by the ASOIF Sport Development and Education Commission (ASDEC) on May 5 and 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The meeting brought together more than 60 participants from 30 International Federations (IFs) for two days of peer exchange and practical discussion on key issues shaping the future of sport development.

Held in a collaborative and informal setting, the workshop focused on topics including coach development, officiating, National Federation support, and the evolving delivery of sport development programme.

During the workshop, Olympic Solidarity hosted roundtable discussions giving participants an opportunity to exchange feedback, ideas and perspectives on existing programmes and future collaboration opportunities.

Participant feedback strongly highlighted the value of the workshop as a trusted environment for open discussion, practical learning and networking across International Federations. Many participants - particularly first-time attendees, but also experienced delegates who had attended numerous workshops - emphasised the importance of having a collaborative and non-political space in which to share challenges, ideas and experiences openly.

ASDEC Chair Deqa NIAMKEY, Development Director at United World Wrestling, highlighted after the workshop:

"The ASDEC Workshop 2026 was a great success, offering International Federations a wide range of relevant topics, including updates on the current trends and landscape of sports business industry, participation programmes, and strategies for entering new markets," Niamkey said.

"The workshop also fostered meaningful discussions with key partners focused on the development and growth of our sports. It continues to serve as an important platform for networking, exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and transferring knowledge, all in line with ASOIF’s broader good governance strategy."

The workshop concept is fully aligned with the third strategic pillar of the ASOIF Strategy 2026–2032, which focuses, among other priorities, on developing and modernising platforms for shared learning and adding value by addressing member priorities and sector developments.

Read More: From AI to Officiating, ASOIF Workshop Explores Future of Sport Development