Obituary

Magomed Aliomarov, Leader in Development of Women's Wrestling, Dies at 67

By United World Wrestling Press

MAKHACHKALA, Russia (May 13) -- Magomed ALIOMAROV, head coach of Russia's resurgent women's wrestling program, died Wednesday after a brief battle with COVID-19. He was 67.

Born in the small village of Tlyarosh, Dagestan, Aliomarov began wrestling as a child. After his competitive years, Aliomarov worked as a club coach in Dagestan from 1978-1992 before taking an administrative role as vice-president of the Azerbaijan Wrestling federation from 2008 to 2017. That nation saw great success during Aliomarov's tenure including a 2009 World Championship team title in women's wrestling. In 2011 Aliomarov became the head coach of Azerbaijan Women's Wrestling team, where he remained until 2015.

The Russian Federation hired Aliomarov back in February 2019 to lead its women's program. The move created instant results with Russia earning the team title at the 2020 European Championships in Rome and runner-up honors at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan. The successes made Aliomarov and the Russian Wrestling Federation hopeful for the future of the women's program.
 
"I have no words. He was such an energetic person who had so many plans. Our women's team followed him, and that lead to very good results," said Mikhail Mamiashvili, President of Russian Wrestling Federation. "Our deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of Magomed Aliomarovich and the entire wrestling community."

Known to be a fierce advocate for his athletes, Aliomarov was widely respected by opposing coaches, while also enjoying the admiration of his athletes.

"It's difficult to believe," said Inna Trazhukova, who won a world championship in Nur-Sultan. "His death is a great loss for our team. He believed in me before the 2019 World Championships and I got the best result in my whole sports career."

"We had the great plans for Olympic Games and I'm very sad that they wouldn't come true."

United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC also sent his condolences to the Russian Wrestling Federation and the families and friends of Aliomarov.

"We are very saddened by the news. The death of Aliomarov is a big loss for the sport and our community."

#WrestleIstanbul

Valiev gets 74kg Paris 2024 spot; USA completes Olympic line-up

By United World Wrestling Press

ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 12) -- A day after he was dealt with a heartbreaking loss, Cherman VALIEV (ALB) pulled off a stunning last-second win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

At the World Olympic Qualifier, the last chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Valiev lost to Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) in the 74kg semifinal on Saturday after he was docked for a singlet-pull. But 24 hours later, Valiev turned it around. Trailing 2-1 in the Olympic playoff between the two bronze medal winners, Valiev got a par terre position over Demirtas and turned him for two points with just a second left.

Demirtas challenged, asking for a block and two points as he stopped Valiev mid-turn, but blocking was not confirmed on review, giving Valiev another point for a lost challenge and a 4-2 win.

Apart from Valiev's dramatic win to earn Albania's third Freestyle quota for Paris, 70kg world champion Zain RETHERFORD (USA) won the 65kg spot for the United States to complete the line-up for Paris with all six spots. Spencer LEE (USA) won the 57kg spot on Saturday.

China earned two spots for Paris while Georgia and Hungary won a spot each. China won the spots at 57kg and 97kg, Georgia 86kg and Hungary will be represented in 125kg.

Retherford, who lost to Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) at 65kg, wrestled four bouts on Sunday with his bronze-medal bout against SUJEET (IND) being the closest. Sujeet scored a counter takedown in the first period and tried holding on to that lead in the second. But as he was pushing Retherford towards the zone, the American circled back and took Sujeet down and take a 2-2 lead which he held till the end.

In the Olympic playoff, Retherford got the better of Niurgun SKRIABIN (AIN), 7-0, and earned a sixth Paris 2024 spot for the U.S. Since Retherford won the trials before coming to Istanbul, he will be now going to Paris.

Wanhao ZOU (CHN) and Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) earned the two quotas for China. Zou was up against  Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) and had little trouble beating Yatsenko in the playoff.

Habila wrestled 38-year-old Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) in the playoff at 125kg and came out on top 2-1. Ibragimov got a 1-0 lead after Habila was out on the activity clock but he failed to score. Ibragimov was put on the clock in the second period but he also failed to score giving Habila a 1-1 criteria lead. Ibragimov made a few attempts in the final seconds but failed to get any points.

Ibragimov challenged asking for fleeing but it was not confirmed on review. The Rio bronze medalist later left his shoes on the mat, symbolizing his retirement from the sport.

Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), who lost after giving up a late takedown, left nothing to luck on Sunday and defeated Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), 8-2, giving Georgia its fourth qualification in Freestyle.

Hungary got its second Paris 2024 spot after Daniel LIGETI (HUN) pinned Jose DIAZ (VEN) in the playoff after building a 5-0 lead.

Paris 2024 Qualification Results

57kg
Wanhao ZOU (CHN) df. Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 5-1

65kg
Zain RETHERFORD (USA) df. Niurgun SKRIABIN (AIN), 7-0

74kg
Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 4-2

86kg
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), 8-2

97kg
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) df. Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB), 2-1

125kg
Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df. Jose DIAZ (VEN), via fall...