#WrestleBudapest

Mattsson and Koliadenko Sail to European OG Qualifier Golds

By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 20) --- Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) sailed to gold medals on Saturday night at the European Olympic Games Qualifier with dominating finals performances at 53kg and 62kg, respectively.

Mattsson put on a stellar performance in the 53kg finals against fellow world champion Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) and claimed her second title of the year.

The Rio Olympic bronze medalist scored four single-leg takedowns and an exposure and ended bout 10-0 with 90 seconds left on the clock. In her two ’21 competitions, she’s captured a pair of golds, but done so in convincing fashion. She's now defeated a world champion in back-to-back tournament finals. In addition to today’s win over two-time world champion Kaladzinskaya, Mattsson also defeated ’19 world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) in the Henri Deglane finals.


Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) looks to finish a single leg at the European Olympic Qualifier. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Koliadenko continued her impressive run to the 62kg gold medal with a 15-4 throttling of Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT). She scored three first-period takedowns before making her lone mistake of the competition. The Ukrainian gave up a four-point outside trip, but squirmed off of her back for the reversal and transitioned into a gut wrench. She ended the first period with a five-point lead, 9-4.

In the closing frame, Koliadenko returned the four-point favor. She made the mid-match adjustment and halted a second outside trip attempt from her Latvian opponent and scored four points of her own. Koliadenko closed out the match with a gut wrench and earned the 15-4 technical superiority victory.

Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) claimed 76kg gold with a 2-0 win over Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR). (Photo: Gabor Martin)

There were three forfeits in the finals but the remaining gold-medal match that was contested came at 76kg. In a pretty dull match, London Olympic champ Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) earned two points from an inactivity point and a stepout and defeated Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 2-0.

Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) claimed gold for Bulgaria at 50kg and 57kg, respectively, on Saturday night. Both of their wins came via injury defaults.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) was the final champion that was crowned on Saturday night. Her 68kg finals opponent Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) injury defaulted out of the gold-medal match.

Sunday night’s Greco-Roman medal matches kick-off at 18:00 (local time) and can be followed live on www.uww.org.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD - Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), via injury default
BRONZE - Iwona Nina MATKOWSKA (POL) df. Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE), 8-0
BRONZE - Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA) df. Taru Marketta VAINIONPAEAE (FIN), 5-0

53kg
GOLD - Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) df. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR), 10-0

BRONZE - Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 5-4
BRONZE - Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df. Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE), 10-0

57kg
GOLD - Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL) df. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR), via injury default
BRONZE - Emese BARKA (HUN) vs. Sara Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), 7-3
BRONZE - Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), via injury default

62kg
GOLD - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT), 15-4
BRONZE - Tetiana OMELCHENKO (AZE) df. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR), 2-1
BRONZE - Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA) df. Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR), 4-1

68kg
GOLD - Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS), via injury default
BRONZE - Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 8-0
BRONZE - Yuliana Vasileva YANEVA (BUL) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), via injury default

76kg
GOLD - Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) df. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 2-0
BRONZE - Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Iselin Maria Moen SOLHEIM (NOR), 10-2

BRONZE - Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Mariya Gerginova ORYASHKOVA (BUL), 4-3

UWW and Iran sign MoU to bring Chouke under Associated Styles

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 20) — United World Wrestling and the Iran Wrestling Federation took a significant step to promote Choukhe, signing a four-year Memorandum of Understanding.

The MoU will enable both organizations to work together to promote and protect Chouke, a traditional form of wrestling, under the UWW Associated Styles.

Both UWW and the Iranian federation will also work to develop Chouke under their umbrella. This agreement's objective is to facilitate the protection, development, and promotion of Chouke. As per the agreement, both parties will hold regular meetings to exchange ideas and share knowledge.

Chouke is a traditional form of wrestling in Iran with wrestlers performing on mud in a marked circular ring. Each bout is of five minutes with more than one bout conducted at the same time. In case of a tie with a one-minute break, three minutes of extra time are added. Within three minutes, the wrestler who earns the first point will be the winner.

This style of wrestling does not allow the wrestler to touch his opponent's legs. The bout can only be fought with grips above the waist. There are different ways to score points in Chouke.

One point is awarded for a takedown, two points are awarded if a throw is completed outside the ring, and one if completed inside. Most other moves award only one point. A fall occurs when even one shoulder touches the ground.

Both wrestlers have to wear the official clothes to compete in Chouke. A t-shirt, a special jacket and a short are considered to be official outfit. The shirt must be long enough to go below the waist and the sleeves be long till the elbow. A strong cloth belt must be tied around the waist of the wrestlers and is fixed at the back and the wrestlers compete barefoot.

The old form of wrestling has a special place in Iranian history, and the agreement will help with its growth and development in Iran. UWW's commitment to work closely with the Iran federation for Chouke is in line with its vision to grow and promote all the traditional forms of the oldest form of the sport.