#kaspeuro2018

Freestyle Brackets Released for Sixth Day of #KaspEuro2018

Friday, May 4, 2018 - 13:45 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

KASPIISK, Russia (May 4) – Freestyle wrestling at the Palace of Sport and Youth continues on Saturday morning at 11:00 AM (local time) with the Russians looking to pick up where the left off after the first day of competition. The host nation's freestyle squad finished day five undefeated and placed all wrestlers into Saturday night’s finals.

Gadshimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), 2017 world finalist, 2016 Olympian Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) and 2015 European Games finalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) will be vying for the gold medal at 61kg. 

At 74kg, the safe bet gold medal winner is between two-time world champion, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), world and Olympic bronze medalist, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), and Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS).

Both Chamizo and Demirtas have multiple European titles under their belts, with Italian having a trio of golds and the Turk with a pair of championships. Meanwhile, Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS), 2017 world runner-up has never competed in a European Championship. 

The must-watch match-up of the morning session is going to be Frank Chamizo and Khetik Tsabolov. That is if they both win their opening round matches. 

Though 86kg reigning champion DAUREN KURUGLIEV (RUS) is not competing, returning medalists Aleksander GOSTIEV (AZE) and Istvan VEREB (HUN) return with hopes of improving their silver and bronze medals.

At 92kg, it’s Olympic champions in Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) vying for top honors. The last time these two met was in the semifinals of the 2016 Olympic Games where Sadualev came out on top with an 8-1 victory. 

Sharifov, the 2012 Olympic champion followed up his London performance with a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games. 

A victory for Sadulaev, the two-time world champion, and Olympic gold medalist would give the hometown favorite his fourth European Championship.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) has his sights on winning his fifth European 125kg title; but the 2016 Olympic champions will most likely have to upend longtime rival and 2017 world champion, Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Akgul and Petriashvili have accounted for every world or Olympic gold medal dating back to 2014, and every European title dating back to 2012. The pair’s 2017 world finals in Paris is considered the greatest freestyle heavyweight wrestling match in history.

#development

2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational (REDT): A New Era of Regional Collaboration in Wrestling

Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 13:48 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CHIANGMAI, Thailand (9 October, 2024) - The 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT), held from September 25-29 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, marked a historic moment for the sport of wrestling in the region. This event was the first in over nine years to include Oceania teams, a significant milestone that highlighted the potential for collaboration and growth between Southeast Asia and Oceania.

A total of 13 countries participated, with Southeast Asia represented by Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Oceania by American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. Over the five days, 284 athletes competed across three wrestling styles—Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling—within the U15, U17, and senior age groups.

The feedback from participating teams was overwhelmingly positive. For both Southeast Asia and Oceania, the championship provided a valuable opportunity for athletes to gain crucial international exposure while competing against teams of a similar skill level. This event acted as a development springboard, allowing the athletes to refine their skills and measure their progress in a competitive yet supportive environment.

The enthusiasm from Oceania teams was particularly notable, with several expressing their strong desire to be invited back in future editions. Many teams have already committed to increasing their participation in the next event, and there is significant interest from additional Oceania nations should this tournament become a regular fixture on the calendar.

SEAWrestlers jocky for position at the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

As we look to the future, the success of the Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational underscores the importance of fostering regional cooperation. The event has laid the foundation for further development in both regions and holds immense potential to become a cornerstone for wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The 2024 edition was not just a competition but a powerful demonstration of unity, skill, and the collective ambition to elevate wrestling in these developing regions. The positive outcomes have set the stage for ongoing collaboration, and the prospect of even greater participation in future years is a testament to the event's success.

We look forward to welcoming even more nations and athletes as we continue to grow the sport of wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.