#WrestlePlovdiv

Live Blog: U23 European Championships, GR Day 1

By United World Wrestling Press

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 7) -- The first day of the U23 European Championships begins with five weight classes in Greco-Roman wrestling. Wrestlers from 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will be in action on day one. Keep an eye on Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), Denis MIHAI (ROU) and Istvan TAKACS (HUN) among others.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

1300: The small section of fans cheer as Ilia MUSTAKOV (BUL) defends a 3-1 lead against Levente TOTH (HUN) and secures his place in the 63kg semifinals.

1220: Junior European champion Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) brings out a big front headlock throw against Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) to win 10-2 at 87kg 

1205: Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM) has locked Beka MELELASHVILI (GEO) arm and chest and rolls him four times to win 9-0

1155: Outstanding from Deni NAKAEV (GER). He ensures that two big throws from par terre give him the 9-0 win over Rasmus AASTROEM (SWE)

1145: Abdurrahman KALKAN (TUR) does not wait for the passivity warning from the referee. He blasts two throws to win 8-0 against Niko NIKOLADZE (ISR) 

1130: We are beginning with the 77kg weight class on three mats. The qualification rounds of this weight class will be followed by 87kg. In the morning session, we will continue will the quarterfinals

1115: We are live from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It's the first continental championships of the year. The U23 wrestlers from around Europe are here.

Development

Saudi Wrestling Federation growing wrestling through education

By United World Wrestling Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (12 October) – The Saudi Wrestling Federation has been organizing coaching and referee courses to grow and develop wrestling within their country over the past few years. Their hard work led to their first-ever silver medal at the U20 Asian Championships. Manthr Jndu achieved this at 63kg in Greco-Roman.

In late April, they organized two more courses (Level 1 Coaching Course and Introduction to Refereeing Course) for new coaches and referees. The Saudi Wrestling Federation held these courses in partnership with United World Wrestling.  

Mr. Hassan MADANY (EGY) and Mr. Juan Luis MAREN (CUB) conducted the Level 1 Coaching Course, and Mr. Sherif HALAWA (EGY) and Mr. Mohsen YAMANI (KSA—Chief of Saudi Referees) led the Introduction to Refereeing course. The courses were held from 28 April to 2 May and included 91 participants (22 women) from 8 nationalities, including participants from EGY, MAR, SYR, SUD, NGR, JOR, KGZ, and KSA residing in Saudi Arabia.

The coaching course had 71 participants, including 17 women coaches. The Level 1 Course is the Introduction to Coaching and Safety. During the course, the participants participated in theoretical and practical sessions. Some of the topics covered were discovery games, introducing a new technique, coaching skills, giving feedback, risk management, age, and developmental stage characteristics.  The coaches actively practiced and developed their skills during the course through practical evaluations. Overall, the coaches gained important knowledge and skills to help them improve in their role as coaches.  

The Introduction to Refereeing Course had 20 participants, including 5 women referees. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee.  The areas covered during the course included the safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout.  The participants were active during the course and could practice their skills through practical evaluations. 

During the courses, there were sessions involving both referees and coaches, led by Mr. Halawa. This allowed both groups to work together and better learn wrestling rules.