U23 World C'ships

Russia and USA Win Multiple Medals in Final Night of U23 World Championships

By Taylor Miller

BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – Russia went 2-0 in gold-medal bouts in the final day of the U23 World Championships, while the United States picked up its first medals of the event on Sunday night in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Nachyn Sergeevitch KUULAR (RUS) was one of two gold medalists for Russia. A two-time World Military World champion, Kuular defeated Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) in the first gold-medal bout of the night, winning with a fast 16-6 technical fall at 65 kg.

His teammate, Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS), pulled out a gritty 7-2 win against 2017 Junior European Championships bronze medalist Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) in the 74 kg match.

Nabiev won the 2015 Junior World crown and finished second at this year’s Russian Championships.

At 70 kg, Richard LEWIS (USA) grinded out a 3-1 win against Kumar VINOD (IND) to claim a World gold medal in his first international tournament.

The U.S. also won two bronze medals to wrap up the tournament, coming from Joseph MCKENNA at 65 kg and Ty WALZ at 97 kg.

Asian Indoor Games champion and Golden Grand Prix silver medalist Mojtaba Mohammadshafie GOLEIJ (IRI) eased his way to a 10-0 technical fall in the 97 kg finals. Goleij knocked off two-time Junior World medalist Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) for his first World title.

Russia won the team race with 55 team points, claiming three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal over the weekend. Kazakhstan was second with 41 points, followed by Georgia with 36 points.

Finals results
65 kg
Gold - Nachyn Sergeevitch KUULAR (RUS) tech. fall Bajrang BAJRANG (IND), 16-6
Bronze - Joseph Christopher MC KENNA (USA) dec. Heorhi KALIYEU (BLR), 2-0
Bronze - Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) dec. Haydar YAVUZ (TUR), 6-4

70 kg
Gold - Richard Anthony LEWIS (USA) dec. Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND), 3-1
Bronze - Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR) dec. Zulfikar MAKHAMATOV (KAZ), 4-2
Bronze - Mirza SKHULUKHIA (GEO) dec. Nobuyoshi TAKOJIMA (JPN), 3-0

74 kg
Gold - Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS) dec. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK), 7-2
Bronze - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) tech. fall Isaiah Alexander MARTINEZ (USA), 11-0
Bronze - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) tech. fall Engin Rashid ISMAIL (BUL), 12-2

97 kg
Gold - Mojtaba Mohammadshafie GOLEIJ (IRI) tech. fall Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR), 10-0
Bronze - Ty Ryan Jack WALZ (USA) dec. Chaoqiang YANG (CHN), 3-0
Bronze - Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) dec. Rasul MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 7-2

 

#WrestleParis

UWW Statement: Lalovic meets IOA President, WFI in Paris

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (August 7) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met with Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay SINGH and Indian Olympic Association PT USHA in the wake of Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) disqualification from the 50kg competition after the wrestler failed the weigh-ins on the second day of her competition in Paris Olympics.

During the meeting at the Wrestling House in Paris, Lalovic said that strict rules for weigh-in on competition days were drawn up keeping the wrestlers’ long-term health in view. The rules dissuade athletes from competing in lower weight categories with weight loss methods that could impact their health in the long term.

On IOA’s suggestion that a wrestler's results from the day on which the athlete met the weigh-in requirements should not be disqualified, the UWW President was sympathetic. UWW will also discuss the suggestion at an appropriate platform but it could not be done retrospectively.

IOAUWWUWW President Nenad LALOVIC with IOA and WFI delegations at the Wrestling House in Paris.

Usha thanked Lalovic for taking in the Wrestling Federation of India’s appeal and giving her a patient hearing. She said as an athlete herself she understood the importance of the need for rules to be drawn up to protect athletes from taking health risks. She also said it was important for all athletes to uphold Olympic values and fair play.

UWW follows the set rules in all competitions including the Games. Its decision to disqualify Vinesh is in line with the rules of international wrestling, like all other instances of wrestlers failing to weigh in on the day of the competition.

UWW wishes Vinesh a speedy recovery and hopes Vinesh can continue to perform in the inspiring way she did in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.