Youth Olympic Games

Russia, Iran Place Two into Freestyle Finals at YOG

By Tim Foley

BUENOS AIRES (October 14) – Russia and Iran each placed two wrestlers in the men’s freestyle finals Sunday night at the Youth Olympic Park’s Asian Pavilion.

For Iran Mohammad KARIMISEIFABAD (65kg) and Amir Abbas ZARE (110kg) will head into the nights finals, while the Russians send Sergei KOZYREV (110kg) and Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (80kg).

Argentina found their second finalist in as many days, with Hernan ALMENDRA (55kg) finding a last minute pancake in his final group stage match, to earn the stunning decision against Oussama LARIBI (ALG).

Georgia, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the United States will also be represented in the evening’s final.

Action starts at 5pm local/4pm ET.
 

Men’s Freestyle, 48kg

GOLD: Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO) v. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)
BRONZE: Diego Armando ZULUAGA CUEVAS (COL) v. Halil GOKDENIZ (TUR)
FIFTH: Daiziel DETUDAMO (NRU) v. Fernando BOOYSEN (RSA)

Men’s Freestyle, 55kg

GOLD: Robert Kelly HOWARD (USA) v. Hernan David ALMENDRA (ARG)
BRONZE: Oussama LARIBI (ALG) v. Vladyslav OSTAPENKO (UKR)
FIFTH: Gavin Stefan Sablan WHITT (GUM) v. Hayato FUJITA (JPN)

Men’s Freestyle, 65kg

GOLD: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) v. Mohammad Baghi KARIMISEIFABAD (IRI)
BRONZE: Inayat ULLAH (PAK) v. Carson Taylor MANVILLE (USA)       
FIFTH: Fathi Tarek A. ISMAIL (EGY) v. Westerly Pehi Tahi AINSLEY (NZL)

Men’s Freestyle, 80kg

GOLD: Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (RUS) v. Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG)
BRONZE: Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB) v. Carson Barry LEE (CAN)
FIFTH: Ryan Devon MARSHALL (NZL) v. Valentine YAIREGPIE (FSM)

Men’s Freestyle, 110kg

GOLD: Sergei KOZYREV (RUS) v. Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI)
BRONZE: Ahmed Mahmoud Elsayed M. KHALIL (EGY) v. Dragan VELINOV (MKD)
FIFTH: Thomas John Mcglinchey BARNS (AUS) v. Luis Rodrigo OROZCO CORTEZ (MEX)

#BeachWrestling

PHOTOS: Bird, Beats, Beach and Wrestling in Dakar

By Vinay Siwach

DAKAR, Senegal (June 22) -- Wrestling in Senegal? Nothing new to the country. It is the most popular sport, at least the traditional one. The stands are filled, music blaring, wrestlers are superstars in the country and people love it.

The second edition of the African Championships in Beach Wrestling traveled to Dakar, Senegal. More than 100 wrestlers entered to compete for the glory of becoming the champion of the continent.

But there is so much to wrestling in Dakar outside the two rings on the sand. The colors, music, cheering, dance and crowd are inseparable.

Obviously, there is wrestling with big throws, tackles, takedowns.

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Wrestling remains the same. Mat, sand, mud, ice. Those throws are supreme. Here's an example.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Once you get thrown like that, you will be covered in sand. So you need to wash it. We got water right next to the rings.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Outside the sand rings, no one should be that serious in wrestling. No way in beach wrestling. Come on, Mouhamed BAYO (SEN).

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

We managed to convince him. Look at that flex. Thanks, Bayo!

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

The National Arena de Lutte in Dakar came prepared. The traditional Senegalese wrestling begins with the sounds of drums. There was no other way to begin during the opening ceremony at Beach Wrestling. Adding to the drums, some colors and music. Nothing better.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

At all wrestling venues, a battle ensues. It's between the wrestlers and security. Are the wrestlers more well-built or the policemen? We will let you decide.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Back to wrestling. Do you think this is a point?

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

Thankfully, you are a referee only by looking at the screen in front of you. On the sand, our referees need to be as quick, both with their decisions and stepping away from the line of action.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Curtis

If someone mentioned a story about how a wrestler in Dakar managed a bird to sit on his head with no trouble, no one would believe that. But here you are, a wrestler in Dakar with a bird sitting on his head. Our photographer captured it so we have to believe.

 

DakarPhoto: United World Wrestling / Helena Courtis

In the end, it is about being happy after watching wrestling. These kids surely enjoyed it.

Well, if you are looking for the results from the matches, here's the link for all the results. CLICK HERE