#WrestlePlovdiv

Live Blog: U23 European Championships, GR Day 1

Monday, March 7, 2022 - 08:39 By United World Wrestling Press

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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

UWW conducts REDT program in Benin

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 12:06 By United World Wrestling Press

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OUIDAH, Benin (December 20) -- United World Wrestling (UWW), in collaboration with the Benin Wrestling Federation, the Benin National Olympic Committee and the national sports authorities, successfully organized the Regional Education and Development Wrestling Tournament (REDT), which took place in Ouidah from November 23 to 30, 2025.

This event represents the first tournament ever organized in West Africa, marking a major milestone in UWW’s wrestling development strategy on the African continent.

Ten countries from the West African region took part in the tournament, contributing to a framework of technical and educational exchanges aimed at enhancing the competencies of wrestling stakeholders.

Deqa NIAMKEY, Director of Development at United World Wrestling, paid an official visit to Benin. She praised the progress achieved by the Benin Wrestling Federation and recalled the core objective of the REDT program.

"The REDT was initiated by United World Wrestling to support countries in the sustainable development of wrestling.”

Niamkey also conducted a sports administration education session with representatives of national federations, while Youssef BOUAZIZ delivered an online training session on ARENA.

Benin

Ahead of the competitions, a regional coaches’ education program was conducted from November 24 to 27, 2025, bringing together coaches, referees, athletes and technical staff from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal.

This program was delivered by Vincent AKA, UWW Expert and Development Officer, and concluded with theoretical and practical evaluations leading to the award of UWW International Coaching Certifications Levels 1 and 2.

Celestin PAVELESCU, UWW Expert, led the refereeing education program in Olympic Wrestling and Beach Wrestling, contributing to the improvement of technical standards and the harmonization of officiating practices across the region.

The competitions were held on November 29, 2025 at the IRSP Gymnasium, while the Beach Wrestling events took place on November 30, 2025 at the Door of No Return Beach, an emblematic site of Ouidah’s historical and cultural heritage.

The host nation particularly distinguished itself during this edition, winning a total of 35 medals (11 gold, 15 silver and 9 bronze).

The development strategy focused on youth and the introduction of wrestling in the school environment, with a strong representation of U17 wrestlers, illustrates the long-term vision pursued by the Benin Wrestling Federation.

At the conclusion of the competition, the President of the Benin Wrestling Federation, Adihunkpéto YVES AZIFAN, congratulated all wrestlers and coaches, while reaffirming the federation’s commitment to position Benin sustainably among the leading nations of African and international wrestling.