#WrestleSofia

Mammadli defeats returning World champion to earn spot in Greco-Roman finals at #WrestleSofia

By Taylor Miller

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Nihat Zahid MAMMADLI (AZE) advanced to the Cadet World finals for the second time in his young career and will wrestle for a gold medal at 55 kg on Saturday.

Mammadli, who is a 2017 Cadet World silver medalist, knocked off returning World champion Abror ATABAEV (UZB) with a dominant 7-0 victory.

A 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival bronze medalist, Mammadli will face Pravin Pandurang PATIL (IND), who won Cadet Asian bronze earlier this summer.

Also from Azerbaijan, Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) cruised to the finals at his first World Championships, outwrestling 2018 U15 Asian silver medalist Rupin RUPIN (IND) in the 48 kg semifinals.

For gold, Babashov will challenge 2018 Youth Olympic Games champion Amirreza Mohammadreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI), who scored an 8-0 tech fall in his semis match over Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ).

Iran also put a second wrestler in the finals as 2019 Cadet Asian bronze winner Shahrokh Abouzar MIKAEILI (IRI) moved onto the gold match at 110 kg.

Waiting for him in the finals is Razmik KURDYAN (ARM), who was fifth at the Cadet European Championships. He defeated European champion Mate GOKADZE (GEO) to earn a chance at gold.

At 65 kg, Asian bronze medalist Sheroz OCHILOV (TJK) upset Asian champion Hojat REZAEI (IRI) in the semifinals, 3-1.

In Saturday’s final, Ochilov will go head-to-head with 2019 Cadet European bronze medalist Dzmitry BONKA (BLR).

For the title at 80 kg, 2018 Balkan champion Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA) will battle Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR).

Lupasco shutout Asian champion Maskat SAILAU (KAZ) in the semis, while Alieksieiev took out Kamran ARGHASH (IRI).

The finals will take place on Saturday at 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET) live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Finals matchups                   
48 kg: Amirreza Mohammadreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) vs. Ziya BABASHOV (AZE)
55 kg: Pravin Pandurang PATIL (IND) vs. Nihat Zahid MAMMADLI (AZE)
65 kg: Sheroz OCHILOV (TJK) vs. Dzmitry BONKA (BLR)
80 kg: Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA) vs. Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR)
110 kg: Razmik KURDYAN (ARM) vs. Shahrokh Abouzar MIKAEILI (IRI)

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW President Lalovic elected ASOIF Vice-President

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 11) — United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC has been elected as the Vice-President of Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

Lalovic, a member of the International Olympic Committee [IOC] since 2015, has been a member of Summer Olympic International Federation (IF) representative to the IOC Executive Board in 2022. He is also a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee.

“I am honored to be elected by my peers to the position of Vice President of ASOIF,” Lalovic said. “I take great pride in representing the Summer International Federations and in contributing to their future well-being. In an ever-evolving sporting landscape, it is essential that we strike the right balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our federations continue to thrive and lead with purpose.”

Earlier in June, Lalovic was re-elected as Council member of ASOIF at its 49th General Assembly convened on June 11 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“We had a very constructive meeting and I look forward to working closely with my Council colleagues to represent the interests of our member federations and help strengthen the Olympic Movement and sports at large. I’d also like to warmly congratulate Nenad Lalovic on his election as ASOIF Vice President, following his re-election as Council member during our recent General Assembly,” ASOIF President Ingmar DE VOS said.