#kaspeuro2018

Lalovic Visits Kapiisk, Home of the 2018 Euro C'Ships

By Artyom Pozdeyev

KAPIISK, Russia (March 3) – United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC has examined the readiness of Kaspiisk City as it prepares to host the 2018 Senior European Championships from April 30th to May 6th.

The visit started from a wreath laying ceremony to the monument of five-time world champion, Ali Aliev and an inspection of the Sport Palace bearing his name. 

“An Ali Aliev statue is also on display in the UWW headquarters and respect for the wrestling traditions of Dagestan was one of the factors to choose Kaspiisk City as the place to organization of European Championships,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. “The Palace of Sport meets all requirements and it is ready already to host the tournament. There are are also and plans to create a fun zone with a big screen.”

Lalovic also visited hotels, reviewed transport logistics and looked through an assortment of regulatory issues.

“The main outcome of the visit to Dagestan is confidence that the European Championships will be organized on a high level. I am under the impression that all Republic is involved in the preparation,” said Vladimir Vasiliev, head of Dagestan's Organizing Committee on organization of European Championships.  

“Wrestling is the pride of Dagestan. As the story goes there is no such place in the world where one can find so many broken ears on one square meter.  Me are thankful for the confidence and we’ll definitely meet the expectations given by the United World Wrestling,” said Vsilev.

The inspection visit was also attended by Mr. Tzeno Tzenov, UWW-Europe President, Mr. Mikhail Mamiashvili, Wrestling Federation of Russia President, UWW Vice-President and Mr. Georgy Bryusov, UWW-Europe Executive Committee member. 

The decision to organize the European Championships in Kaspiisk City was taken at the UWW Bureau meeting during the World Championships in Paris in August 2017. The championships will be the largest event ever hosted in Dagestan, with the most recent Russian tournaments being the 2010 World Championships and 2006 European Championships held in Moscow.

#AmateurMMA

Amateur MMA: Kutzli wins gold for U.S.; Ukraine best team

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 19) -- It was only her fourth-ever bout but Natalie KUTZLI (USA) showed no lack of experience in defeating Oliwia STAWSKA (POL), and become a world champion at the UWW Amateur MMA World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Kutzli, the lone fighter from the United States, won by unanimous decision after three rounds against Stawska who has been on the circuit for a longder time.

"I'm just at a loss of words," Kutzli said. "I just feel so surreal."

In the final against Stawska, Kutzli opened the match with clear striking and controlled the round. She followed a similar strategy and never allowed Stawska to land cleanly. Kutzli won all three rounds in the final.

"She was a challenging fighter for sure," she said. "She was really tough. It's just such a amazing opportunity to be able to fight somebody who has that much experience. I loved every second of it."

Hailing from Michigan, Kutzli began her sports career with taekwondo before switching to wrestling. Her mother, Jeanie, would drive her from one practice to another and supported her when she switched sports.

"First person I talked to was my mom," she said. "She's just so proud of me and amazed by me and what I do and I just I made her proud and my family really proud. I do it for her in hopes of someday being in the UFC and be able to pay for my family and just be able to take care of my loved one, so that's my dream.

"From a young age, I was raised by a single mom. So I'm doing this for her and to be able to thank her and just sort of appreciation to my family."

At 57kg, Viktoriia DUDAKOVA (UWW) showed that she belongs to the big league she knocked out Justine TAILFER (FRA) in the 57kg final. The bout went to the second round but Dudakova dominated it throughout.

Dudakova and Tailfer went out of bounds in the second round with the former on top. The referee called it to center and when the bout restarted with Dudakova getting the back mount advantage, she kept her striking with Tailfer not able to defend which forced the referee to call it a knockout.

In other finals, Anna BEZHENAR (UKR) scored a victory via submission against Daria RAMANOVA (UWW) to win the gold medal at 50kg. However, two other Ukraine finalists failed to win.

Veronika SUSHINA (UWW) stormed back after a slow start to beat Yana MELNYCHUK (UKR) via split decision as two judges gave her the win to one who scored it in favor of Melnychuk as Sushina won the 61kg gold.

Khalida TIMOFEEVA (UWW) did not give any chances to the judges to score differently as she defeated Yuliia MELNYCHUK (UKR) via unanimous decision to win at 65kg and bag the gold medal.

At 80kg, Anna ERSHOVA (UWW) had one of the most dominant wins in the final as she humbled Dana DROZHZHINA (UWW), winning via unanimous decision, to claim the gold medal.

Kazakhstan also got a gold medal as Aigerim TOREKHANOVA (KAZ) dominated the final against Veronika VYKHVATEN (UWW) at 53kg to win via unanimous decision. Her strong start in the first two rounds gave her the advantage despite a strong show from Vykhvaten in the final round.

RESULTS

50kg Final
Anna BEZHENAR (UKR) df. Daria ROMANOVA (UWW), via submission

53kg Final
Aigerim TOREKHANOVA (KAZ) df. Veronika VYKHVATEN (UWW), via unanimous decision

57kg Final
Viktoriia DUDAKOVA (UWW) df. Justine TAILFER (FRA), via submission

61kg Final
Veronika SUSHINA (UWW) df. Yana MELNYCHUK (UKR), via split decision

65kg Final
Khalida TIMOFEEVA (UWW) df. Yuliia MELNYCHUK (UKR), via unanimous decision

70kg Final
Natalie KUTZLI (USA) df. Oliwia STAWSKA (POL), via unanimous decision

80kg Final
Anna ERSHOVA (UWW) df. Dana DROZHZHINA (UWW), via unanimous decision