#WrestlePlovdiv

Live Blog: U23 European Championships Day 5

By Vinay Siwach

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 11) -- The U23 European Championships move to day five with freestyle action in five weight classes. The wrestlers from 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg will try to reach the semifinals later tonight. Senior World bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) is also in the mix.

MATCH ORDER | LIVE STREAM

1320: We finish the session with an incredible comeback from Ivailo TISOV (BUL) against Demin LIUTCANOV (MDA). He was down 8-2 and then 14-8 but secures a fall to move into the semifinals at 57kg.

1310: Senior World bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) was trailing 2-0 until the final minute but blasted a double leg attack and secured the fall

1245: Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA) looks unstoppable today. He has his second fall of the day he moves into the 70kg semifinals

1240: What a bout we had. Bayramov and Alaca put on a show for the fans. Bayramov began with a four-point double and then laced two times to lead 9-1. But Alaca scripted a comeback to be 11-8 but Bayramov stayed composed to win it.

1210: Returning silver medalist Nicolai GRAHMEZ (MDA) with a fall in 21 seconds over Roland BIRO (HUN) at 70kg

1200: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) with a fall over Abdulvasi BALTA (TUR). The two were involved in a tough battle but the Greece wrestler with a big four-pointer to lead 13-3 but secured the fall

1145: Junior Worlds silver medalist Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) begins with a big 12-1 win over Stilyan ILIEV (BUL)

1143: Ugrelidze with a small comeback as he cuts Alaca's lead to 8-4. There is still a minute to go in the bout. Can the Georgian cause an upset? He can't. Alaca wins 8-5.

1130: Cadet world champion Hamza ALACA (TUR) is now on Mat A against Gia UGRELIDZE (GEO). He starts with a takedown and then two leg laces to make it 5-0. A duck under for two more. 

1115: Welcome to day five of the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv. We will have Hrachya MARGARYAN (ARM) beginning against Dominik LARITZ (SUI) on Mat A 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW updates eligibility criteria for Russia, Belarus wrestlers

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 25) -- The United World Wrestling Bureau has decided to update the eligibility criteria for wrestlers and support staff from Russia and Belarus.

UWW had announced eligibility criteria for Russian and Belarussian wrestlers and staff in 2023. However, the Bureau met on September 24 [Tuesday], to review the same and approved the updated criteria.

For future UWW tournaments, only evidence of direct military participation in the war against Ukraine or public declarations [in written or orally] in support of the war and/or of their promoters or participants will be considered to declare an athlete as ineligible.

UWW will also re-examine all cases, according to the new criteria, that had earlier been declared ineligible.

The eligible Russian and Belarussian wrestlers and support staff will continue to compete under the neutral flag as Individual Neutral Athletes.  UWW anthem will be used for ceremonies but no reference to the flag, symbols or coat of arms of Russia and Belarus will be authorized.

The Bureau, however, did not decide on the return of international competition to Russia and Belarus.