#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

UWW Donates Mats to Mauritius for Regional Development Project

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - 11:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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MAURITUS (April 27) -- United World Wrestling has donated wrestling mats to the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association. The mats were provided through UWW’s partner and sponsor, Taishan Sports, in support of the Olympic Solidarity/ UWW Regional Development Program.

The mats will be used as part of the OS/UWW regional program, which aims to strengthen wrestling development in Mauritius and create a lasting impact across the East Africa region. By improving access to quality training facilities and equipment, the initiative seeks to support athletes, coaches, and youth participation while helping national federations raise standards across the region.

The regional program is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 18, 2026 and will combine athlete training camps, coaches’ education, referees’ courses, and a regional competition to conclude the activities. Olympic Solidarity will soon send invitations to all National Olympic Committees in East Africa to participate in the program.

The President of the Mauritius National Wrestling and Allied Games Association Joel ANTOINETTE highly appreciated the donation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of these wrestling mats," Antoinette said. "This contribution is more than just equipment; it’s the foundation for a new era. We promise to honor this gift by working tirelessly to revolutionize the Wrestling sport, pushing boundaries, and elevating our athletes to heights."

Thanks to the support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee, this is not the first time that the Mauritius National Wrestling Association has organized such educational events. Over the past years, they have successfully delivered several Olympic Solidarity/UWW development activities at both national and regional levels.

Mauritius has increased its presence on the international wrestling stage in recent years, with athletes competing more regularly at major events thanks to the continued support of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee and the Mauritius Wrestling federation. This progress reflects the growing ambition of the federation and the country’s commitment to advancing the sport.