Youth OIympic Games

Iran Wins Pair, Japan's Sasaki Registers Incredible Comeback

Friday, October 12, 2018 - 23:00 By Tim Foley

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BUENOS AIRES (October 12) – Iran notched their first two gold medals of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games Friday night at the Asian Pavilion at Youth Olympic Park in Buenos Aires, while Japan’s Wataru SASAKI lodged one of the most impressive Olympic comebacks in years.

Facing Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) in the 51kg finals Sasaki was put on the backfoot from the start, being tossed for five points early in the first period. Another takedown made the score 7-0 to end the first period, but in the second period it was all Sasaki.

Waturu SASAKI lands a four-point throw to overtake Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) in the finals of the 51kg weight category (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

The slenderer wrestler weaved behind Tokhadze for a quick takedown followed by a gut wrench to score four points. Next Sasaki locked up a front head lock and through the Georgian to four points to take the lead 8-0 – much to the delight of the Argentinian crowd. Sasaki would tack on another takedown and a lost challenge by the Georgian made the final score 11,-7 in favor of Sasaki.

For the often-dominant Iranian team it was business as usual. Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (45kg) was unstoppable against Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), pressuring the South American wrestler into a series of missteps and racking up a pair of takedowns. After Dehbozorgi found his second takedown, he followed it up with a step out point to win gold, 8-0

Mohammad NOSRATI (IRI) celebrates his 92kg gold medal after defeating Osman AYAYDIN (TUR), 3-1 (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Mohammad NOSRATI (92kg) imposed his size on Turkey’s Osman AYAYDIN, controlling the mat for four minutes to win the final title of the evening, 3-1. The big man was jubilant after the match, speaking to reporters and interacting with fans.

“This was a great event for me,” said Nosrati. “I have to thank my fans and the people of Iran for their support during the Games.”

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) celebrates after defeating Elmirbek SADYROV (KGZ), 9-0 (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) at 60kg and Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)at 71kg each won gold via technical superiority. Gutu out-muscled Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), 8-0 while Chkhikvadze racked up four takedowns on route to a 9-0 victory.

Women’s Wrestling begins Saturday at 10am local/9am ET, with finals at 5pm local/4pm ET. 

Greco-Roman, 45kg
GOLD: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) df. Jeremy Renzo PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), 8-0
BRONZE: Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL) v. Arslanbek ZAKIRBAYEV (TKM), 8-0
FIFTH: Abdalla M. SHAABAN (EGY) df. Densel Jaffet DE JESUS VALERIO (HON), 12-1

Greco-Roman, 51kg
GOLD: Wataru SASAKI (JPN) df. Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO), 11-7
BRONZE: Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX) df. Eduardo LOVERA (ARG), 5-3
FIFTH: Mehdi JOUINI (TUN) df. Alexander ADINIWIN (MHL), via FALL

Greco-Roman, 60kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Elmirbek SADYROV (KGZ), 9-0
BRONZE: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df. Miguel Angel UGALDE AGUILAR (MEX), 9-0
FIFTH: Ahmed Abdelhakim MERIKHI (ALG) df. Arapo Ngatuerua George KELLNER (NZL), 10-2

Greco-Roman, 71kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), 8-0
BRONZE: Shu YAMADA (JPN) df. Lamjed MAAFI (TUN), 4-0
FIFTH: Brandon CALLE PEREZ (COL) df. Lynch Xavier Tanglao SANTOS (GUM), 14-6

Greco-Roman, 92kg
GOLD: Mohammad Ghorbanali NOSRATI (IRI) df. Osman AYAYDIN (TUR), 3-1
BRONZE: Mukhammad EVLOEV (RUS) df. Shady Elkhalil Ibrahim A. WEHIB (EGY), 11-2
FIFTH: Igor Fernando ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA) df. Ariston Faamalosi BARTLEY (ASA), 10-0

#development

Moldova steps up, hosts coaching and referee courses

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 19:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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KISHINEV, Moldova (December 10) -- Moldova, a country rich with wrestling history and some good performances in recent years, continues to develop the sport.

Moldovan Wrestling Federation has taken steps to train and improve its coaches, referees and wrestlers and organized two courses [Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 National Referee] and a competition from November 23 to 29.

The two courses were organized in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity, UWW and Moldova Olympic Committee. United World Wrestling also supported their national tournament that was held at the conclusion of the courses.

"We are pleased with the successful implementation of the Level 3 coaching program and Level 2 referee program," said Ivan GHEORGHIU, President of the Moldova Wrestling Federation. "The course introduced modern international coaching and refereeing methodologies that are essential for the continued development of wrestling in Moldova. We value the collaboration with UWW and Olympic Solidarity and look forward to further educational initiatives."

The Level 3 coaching course was led by Yusup ABDUSALAMOV (UWW Educator). The course focused on performance analysis periodization and preparation, coaching philosophy training load management, and safe sport. There were 17 individuals that participated in the course.

“The course progressed smoothly and the participants showed interest, discipline, and engagement during all sessions," Abdusalamov said. "They actively participated in theoretical discussions and performed well during practical and micro-training tasks. I am confident that the skills they developed will significantly improve the effectiveness of their training work."

Anatolie GUIDEA, one of the coaches who attended the course expressed his appreciation and said, "I greatly appreciated the depth of information on periodization and training load management. The micro-training sessions were especially useful, as they provided clear practical tools that I can apply immediately in my own training environment."

Moldova

The Level 2 referee course was also held and was called Referee Foundations. This course was led by Igor LIGAY (IS Referee and UWW Educator) and included 22 participants.

During the course, the referees went through more advanced scoring situations including risk, out of bounds, takedown and control, and attack vs counter attack. They also worked on strategies for controlling the bout and being a mat chairman. Their training included theoretical and practical sessions.

"All participants actively took part in discussions, successfully handled practical exercises during the competitions, and I am confident that the skills and knowledge they acquired will enhance their effectiveness and raise the overall standard of judging at competitions," Ligay said.

In addition to the courses, Moldova hosted a national competition that was also supported by UWW. This competition featured wrestlers from 26 clubs and included 134 Freestyle wrestlers, 121 Greco-Roman wrestlers, and 27 women wrestlers.