Georgia Inserts Four into Day 2 U23 European Finals

Monday, March 4, 2019 - 19:43 By Eric Olanowski

NOVI SAD, Serbia (March 4) – Georgia, led by defending U23 world and European champions Nugzari TSURTSUMIA and Zviadi PATARIDZE inserted four wrestlers into Tuesday night’s Greco-Roman U23 European finals.

At 55kg, Tsurtsumia and his finals opponent Florin TITA (ROU) scored first-period technical superiority victories and will meet in Tuesday night's gold-medal bout.

Tsurtsumia, the returning 55kg U23 world and European champion, quickly scored the 11-2 victory in his semifinals match to breeze past Russia's Viktor VEDERNIKOV.

His finals opponent Tita pounced Hungary's Bence KOVACS 12-2 and locked up his 55kg finals spot, improving on his bronze-medal finish from the 2018 U23 European Championships.

Zviadi Pataridze, the six-time age-group world champion, easily handled Estonia's Artur VITITIN and picked up the 9-0 technical superiority victory. Pataridze's Monday night win helped insert himself in his second consecutive U23 European finals and gave the Georgian big man his third overall U23 European medal. He also finished with a bronze medal back in 2017.

To win his second straight U23 European gold medal, Pataridze will have to defeat Romania’s Lenard BEREI (ROU) in the 130kg gold-medal match. Berei trailed 3-0 in his semifinals bout against Russia’s Oleg AGAKHANOV but used a four-point throw to reach the finals with the 4-3 advantage.

Georgia’s third finalist Levani KAVIARADZE will meet Armenia's Slavik GALSTYAN for the 63kg gold medal.

Kavjaradze scored the 7-2 victory over Erik TORBA (HUN) to seal up his spot in the 63kg finals. He’ll wrestle Slavik Galstyan, who trailed 2-0 in his semifinal bout, but outscored Ukraine’s U23 world bronze medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN 13-2 and locked up his spot in the 63kg finals with a 13-4 victory.

Gurami KHETSURIANI was the fourth and final Georgian who reached Tuesday’s finals. He did so by stopping Martynas NEMSEVICIUS from becoming the second ever Lithuanian wrestler from reaching the U23 European finals with a 4-0 win.

Khetsuriani will have to defeat Russia’s Gazi KHALILOV in the gold-medal bout if he hopes to walk away as the 87kg champion. Khalilov trailed 6-3 in his semifinals bout against Ivan HUKLEK before catching the Croatian wrestler on his back and picking up the fall.

The only Day 2 finals matchup that won’t feature a Georgian wrestler is at 77kg, where Russia’s reigning junior world champion Islam OPIEV (RUS) will take on Turkey’s Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) for the gold.

Opiev was awarded a passivity point in his semifinal bout and edged Beka MAMUKASHVILI (GEO), 1-1. His finals opponenet Akkoyun used a four-point second period to stop Tamas LEVAI (HUN), 5-1, to reach the 77kg gold-medal bout.

Wrestling resumes on Tuesday at 11:30 (local time). The Day 2 finals are set to begin at 18:00.

SCHEDULE
Tuesday (March 5)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
9:45 - Medical Examination & Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
14:30 - Draw WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
16:45 - Opening Ceremony
17:15 - Semi Final GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18: 00 - Finals GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg

Wednesday (March 6)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
14:00 - Draw WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
18: 00 - Finals GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg

Thursday (March 7)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
14:00 - Draw FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
18: 00 - Finals WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg

Friday (March 8)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
14:00 - Draw FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
17:15 - Semi Final FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
18: 00 - Finals WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg

Saturday (March 9)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Repechage FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
17:15 - Semi Final FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18: 00 - Finals FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg

Sunday (March 10)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
16:00 - Repechage FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18:00 - Finals FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg

RESULTS
55kg
GOLD - Florin TITA (ROU) vs. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Florin TITA (ROU) df. Bence KOVACS (HUN), 12-2
SEMIFINAL - Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Viktor VEDERNIKOV (RUS), 11-2

63kg
GOLD - Levani KAVJARADZE (GEO) vs. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM)
SEMIFINAL - Levani KAVJARADZE (GEO) df. Erik TORBA (HUN), 7-2
SEMIFINAL - Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) df. Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 13-4

77kg
GOLD - Islam OPIEV (RUS) df. Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Islam OPIEV (RUS) df. Beka MAMUKASHVILI (GEO), 1-1
SEMIFINAL - Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) df. Tamas LEVAI (HUN), 5-1

87kg
GOLD - Gurami KHETSURIANI (GEO) vs. Gazi KHALILOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Gurami KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Martynas NEMSEVICIUS (LTU), 4-0
SEMIFINAL - Gazi KHALILOV (RUS) df. Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), via fall

130kg
GOLD - Zviadi PATARIDZE (GEO) vs. Lenard Istvan BEREI (ROU)
SEMIFINAL -Zviadi PATARIDZE (GEO) df. Artur VITITIN (EST), 9-0
SEMIFINAL - Lenard Istvan BEREI (ROU) df. Oleg AGAKHANOV (RUS), 4-3

#development

UWW and Inspire Institute of Sport host first-ever coaching course

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 13:22 By United World Wrestling Press

VIJAYANAGAR, India (July 9) -- United World Wrestling hosted a international coaching course at Inspire Institute of Sport in India from June 27 to July 1.

This was the first-ever coaching course held in India under the partnership that UWW signed with IIS in 2024 to help develop wrestling in India. The Level 2 coaching course was led by July and was lead by Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN).

"The group was distinguished by a wide diversity of experiences and backgrounds, which added a special richness to the discussions and allowed for fruitful exchanges of ideas and practices," Khedhri said. "The coaches’ enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing their knowledge and skills to serve wrestling in their respective countries were clearly evident. This positive interaction added a dynamic and engaging spirit to the course, making it a truly rich and effective educational experience."

The Level 2 coaching course focused on the designing and implementing of practice plans and had nine coaches from three countries namely India, Singapore, and Nigeria that participated in the course.

The course covered various topics including seven basic skills of wrestling, introduction to performance analysis designing effective practice sessions, risk management, mental development, Anti-Doping, environmental impact and included technical sessions. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations.

"The course was very successful and impactful. It was truly excellent, characterized by clarity, depth, and practical application that added real value for all participants. I feel deeply grateful and very excited, as this was our first education clinic, through which we have already seen many promising potentials and future opportunities," Rishabh CHAUHAN, Head of Sports Excellence Program at IIS, said.

IND Participants at the Level 2 coaching course work through designing and implementing a wrestling practice plan. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Quotes from some of the participants:

Timothy Loh Yu (SGP)

“Completing the UWW Coaching Course Level 2 was an enriching experience that deepened my technical knowledge and coaching philosophy. The course focused on athlete-centered development, advanced planning, and effective communication. Key takeaways included structuring training cycles, integrating strength and conditioning, and applying sports science for better athlete management. Practical sessions improved my technical instruction and feedback skills. Overall, the course strengthened my confidence and commitment to continuous learning. The venue, facilities, accommodation, and the facilitation by Mr. Ahmed were also excellent and supported the success of the program.”

Gurpreet Kaur (IND)

“I would like to express my gratitude for facilitating the UWW Level 2 Coaches Course. The course was highly informative, engaging, and practical, covering key topics such as basic wrestling skills, training phases and periodization, video analysis, practice planning, nutrition and weight management, and athlete management. It has deepened my perspective as a coach and equipped me with practical tools to use in my training sessions. To further enhance learning, incorporating more case studies, video breakdowns of real matches, and live or recorded athlete demonstrations could strengthen technical and tactical understanding. Overall, the course struck a good balance between theory and real-life application.”

Blessing Oborududu (NGR)

“The UWW Level 2 Coaching Course has been a game-changer for me. I’ve gained practical skills to enhance my coaching, including analyzing and correcting techniques, planning effective training programs, and applying strength & conditioning and nutrition to optimize athlete performance. I’ve also developed leadership and communication skills to foster a supportive training environment. This course has truly elevated my coaching abilities and will help me better support my athletes’ growth and success.”

Georgia Inserts Four into Day 2 U23 European Finals

Comments

UWW and Inspire Institute of Sport host first-ever coaching course