Kamal strengthens World Championships bid, ranking with Budapest gold

Sunday, July 16, 2023 - 10:21 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 15) -- Kerem KAMAL (TUR) entered the Budapest Ranking Series for two major reasons.

The first was to improve his ranking to number three and the second was to face European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) before the World Championships.

The latter did not happen as Nazaryan, despite reaching the semifinal against Kamal, pulled out due to an injury. However, Kamal won the gold medal at 60kg in Budapest and jumped to number three in the rankings.

“The tournament was very difficult but important for me,” Kamal said. “My goal was to overtake the opponent from China in the ranking, which I achieved with a gold medal.”

In April, Kamal suffered two heartbreaking losses at the European Championships and finished fifth. A gold medal in Budapest also helped him put that loss behind him.

“I had a bad day at the European Championships, so this is a good motivation for me,” he said.

Kamal opened his day against Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) and did not take time to advance to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory. In the quarterfinals, he posted another technical superiority win as he defeated Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) 8-0.

From the other side of the bracket, Nazaryan pinned Dalton ROBERTS (USA) in his first bout and defeated Nikolai MOHAMMADI (DEN) 5-1 in the quarterfinals. However, he pulled out of the semifinal against Kamal due to injury.

Kamal, now into the final, wrestled Omid ARAMI (IRI) and won 8-1 to win gold and collect the all-important ranking points.

“I was looking forward to the fight against Nazaryan,” he said. “I wanted to avenge him but he decided not to wrestle. I am looking forward to the World Championships so we wrestle each other.”

Before the Ranking Series in Budapest, Kamal had 39200 points while Liguo CAO (CHN) was at 40600 points. But the gold should push Kamal over Cao who finished 13th. Kamal will have 52200 points while Cao will finish with 45675 points.

Nazaryan, who collected 9000 points, will be the top seed at the World Championships while world champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be seeded second. Kamal will be third.

“The ranking is very important,” he said. “I was fourth but after the gold medal, I will probably be third and that's what I wanted.”

Even after winning the gold medal, Kamal paid an emotional tribute to one of his friends. In an emotional message, Kamal dedicated his gold medal to fellow wrestler Ahmet TAS (TUR) who lost his life in the deadly earthquake that hit Turkiye in February.

“We had an earthquake in Turkiye and we lost many people,” he said. “Today would have been the birthday of my friend and wrestler Ahmet Tas who lost his life in the earthquake. I dedicate my gold medal to him.”

In the other two Greco-Roman weight classes that were in action on Saturday, Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) the gold medal at 55kg and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) became the champion at 63kg, both non-Olympic weight categories.

China rises at 76kg

The only Olympic weight class in action on Saturday in women's wrestling was 76kg with world and Olympic medalists. However, it was China that stole the show.

China entered three wrestlers in the weight class with Juan WANG (CHN), Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) and QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN).

The first casualty at the hands of the Chinese wrestlers was world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) as Huang defeated her 4-0 in the pre-quarterfinals. However, she suffered a fall in the quarterfinals against Justina DI STASIO (CAN) which ended Adar's campaign.

In other quarterfinals, Qiandegenchagan defeated Yelena MAKOYED (USA), 12-1, to hand the American her first international defeat by a non-US wrestler. World bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST) dominated world silver medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) 8-2 while Wang won 4-3 against Genesis REASCO (ECU).

That put Qiandegenchagan and Mae in the same semifinal and the latter began with a headlock for four and tried pinning her Chinese opponent. But Qiandegenchagan managed to slip out of the hold. She got one for reversal and a roll added two more points.

In the second period, Mae tried pushing Qiandegenchagan out of the zone while being in a front headlock but the latter managed to move away, circle around for a takedown and take a match-winning 5-4 lead.

Di Stasio would blame her luck as she was leading 3-0 with 2:35 remaining in the bout and was clearly in better wrestler in the semifinal against Wang. However, Wang got on a single leg and transitioned into a cradle, putting Di Stasio on her back.

A fall was confirmed and Wang booked her place against Qiandegenchagan in the final which was a slow affair for the first four minutes.

Qiandegenchagan led 1-0 after a passivity point but with time running out, Wang got into a bodylock and Qiandegenchagan used the opportunity to execute a throw for four and led 5-0.

Wang made it interesting again by scoring a takedown with less than 20 seconds remaining. She rolled Qiandegenchagan to make it 5-4 before the clock ran out, giving Qiandegenchagan the win.

In the non-Olympic weight classes, Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) won the gold medal at 55kg after beating Karla GODINEZ (CAN) 7-4 in the final.

At 59kg, Jennifer PAGE (USA) survived two back-to-back four-point throws from Magdalena GLODEK (POL) and scored a takedown on reversal to win the gold medal 13-11.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) was easily the best at 65kg as she won three bouts in a round-robin bracket to win the gold medal.

At 72kg, Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) held off Dalma CANEVA (ITA) 3-1 to claim the gold medal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 9-0

BRONZE: Ramaz SILAGAVA (GEO) df. Yersin ABYIR (KAZ), 5-2

60kg
GOLD: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Omid ARAMI (IRI), 8-1

BRONZE: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Virgil BICA (SWE), 10-0

63kg
GOLD: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Jinwoong JUNG (KOR), 5-1

BRONZE: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU), via fall
BRONZE: Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ) df. Aker SCHMID (AUT), via inj. def.

Women's wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 7-2

BRONZE: Erika BOGNAR (HUN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), via fall
BRONZE: Li DENG (CHN) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), via inj. def.

59kg
GOLD: Jennifer PAGE (USA) df. Magdalena GLODEK (POL), 13-11

BRONZE: SANGEETA (IND) df. Viktoria BORSOS (HUN), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA)
SILVER: Kadriye AKSOY (TUR)
BRONZE: Ekaterina KOSHKINA (AIN)

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 3-1

BRONZE: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) df. Kseniia BURAKOVA (AIN), 11-0

76kg
GOLD: QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) df. Juan WANG (CHN), 5-4

BRONZE: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Epp MAE (EST), 9-6
BRONZE: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 6-0

Development

Iraqi Wrestling Federation host 2nd course for Coaches and Referees

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 12:56 By United World Wrestling Press

Baghdad, Iraq (June 17) – The Iraqi Wrestling Federation continues to look to provide education for their coaches and referees. From May 25-30, the IRQ Federation hosted a Level 2 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course. These were conducted in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. The coaching course was led by Mr. Hassan Madany (EGY) and the referee course was led by Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael (IRQ).

The Level 2 coaching course focused on the designing and implementing of practice plans. There were 25 coaches that participated in the course. The participants The following topics were covered throughout the course: seven basic skills of wrestling, introduction to performance analysis designing effective practice sessions, and technical session. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations. “The atmosphere was comfortable and collaborative, creating an excellent learning environment. Everyone was eager to engage with the course content across various topics, but there was particular enthusiasm for match performance analysis and practical application. Notably, most participants were former international players, including some who competed in the London 2012 Olympics in the 130 kg Greco-Roman category, such as Coach Ali Nazem. Their presence significantly enhanced the course level, especially in the practical aspects. In the end, I was pleased to be part of this course and to work alongside such a distinguished group of coaches.” Said Mr. Madany.

The Introduction to Refereeing Course was the first-ever women-only course in Iraq. This course had 17 women who were new to refereeing. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee. The areas covered during the course included: safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout. The participants were active during the course and were able to practice their skills through practical evaluations. “The course was conducted successfully and demonstrated strong organization throughout. The participants showed a high level of enthusiasm, which was clearly reflected in their active engagement during the sessions. Despite all attendees having no prior experience in wrestling, their overall performance was commendable. Several participants displayed exceptional comprehension and aptitude, which was evident in their practical application of refereeing skills during the championship held the day after the course concluded.” Said Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael.

At the conclusion of the courses, the Iraqi Wrestling Federation organized a competition. The competition allowed the coaches and referees to directly practice the new skills that they learned.

“First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the International Wrestling Federation and the Development Committee of the Federation for their continuous support in developing wrestling in Iraq. Regarding the training and refereeing course, which concluded with great success, the lecturers Hassan Madani and Hadi Hassan presented valuable and useful expertise and information, which was well received and appreciated by all participants”. said Mr. Shaalan Abdulkadhim, President of Iraqi Wrestling Federation.

IRQ Participants gather for a group photo following the conclusion of the Level 2 Coaching Course in Baghdad. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Quotes from some of the participants:

“The course was of great importance, particularly due to the inclusion of practical applications, which proved to be the most engaging and beneficial aspect for the participants. These hands-on sessions complemented the theoretical lectures, which focused on thoroughly studying the core materials and concepts before transitioning to their practical implementation.” – Hoyam Jazea

“The course was very enjoyable and rich with valuable information that has already benefited us and will certainly be useful in the future. Although the duration of the course was short, the knowledge we gained was impactful and left a lasting impression. For future, I hope there will be more courses, as it would allow us to deepen our understanding and expand our knowledge of refereeing.” – Saja Tariq

"The overall impression of the Level 1 Wrestling Refereeing Course was very positive. It was a well-structured and fruitful course that provided a solid introduction to the fundamentals of wrestling, including basic techniques, refereeing principles, mat movement, and scoring methods. The theoretical component was clearly presented, and the instructor’s approach to delivering the material was excellent, making the information easy to understand and absorb.” – Rusul Falah

Kamal strengthens World Championships bid, ranking with Budapest gold

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Iraqi Wrestling Federation host 2nd course for Coaches and Referees