Russia Rolls Over Iran, Wins Freestyle World Cup Title

Sunday, March 17, 2019 - 09:46 By Eric Olanowski

YAKUTSK, Russia (March 17) - Deafening chants of “Russia” echoed throughout Yakutsk’s Triumph Sports Training Center as the Russian Federation claimed their seventh overall Freestyle World Cup title and first gold since their title-winning performance at the 2011 Makhachkala World Cup.

The goal for the Russian Federation coming into the 2019 Freestyle World Cup was simple and well stated, “Win the Freestyle World Cup on home soil.”

That’s exactly what Russia did, and they did so in dominant fashion. Russia closed out the weekend with a perfect 4-0 team record while having a combined individual record of 36-4. Even more impressive, the host nation strung together a 25 match win streak that extended through three duals. The streak began at the 65kg match in the Japan dual, went through the 10-0 shutout win over Turkey, and finally ended after the 92kg match in the Iran dual.

The host nation proved that they were without a doubt the deepest team entered into the tournament, wrapping up the World Cup on Sunday by easily halting Iran from winning their seventh World Cup title in the last eight years.

In the finals, Russia stomped Iran, 9-1, and ended the country's eight-year World Cup title drought.

The Russians cruised, winning the first seven matches and clinched the dual after Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS) stuck Mojtaba ASGHARI OSMAVANDANI (IRI) in the 79kg bout.

Russia’s final win against Iran was their fourth win of the weekend. They went 2-0 on the opening day of competition, tallying wins over Cuba and Japan, then followed that up with a third-round win over Turkey. That Sunday morning win over Turkey locked up the perfect 3-0 record in Group A and handed Russia their spot in the World Cup finals for the first time since 2011.

This was Russia’s seventh Freestyle World Cup title-winning performance, and sixth on home soil. The last time Russia won a World Cup that wasn’t on home soil came at the 1998 Freestyle World Cup which was held in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.

Meanwhile, in the third-place bout, the defending champion the United States edged Japan, 6-4.

The pair traded blows and were tied three-all after the first six matches. Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) broke that tie after his 14-3 routing of Samuel Joseph BROOKS (USA), but three consecutive American wins from Hayden ZILLMER, Kyven Ross GADSON, and Anthony NELSON gave the Stars and Stripes the 6-4 advantage, and ultimately the third-place finish.

Cuba finished fifth place after they defeated Mongolia, 6-4, and Georgia claimed seventh place after beating Turkey, 8-2.

RESULTS

First-Place Match
Russia df. Iran, 9-1
57kg - Aryian TIUTRIN (RUS) df. Alireza Nosratolah SARLAK (IRI), 11-2
61kg - Ramazan FERZALIEV (RUS) df. Iman SADEGHIKOUKANDEH (IRI), 8-2
65kg - Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) df. Morteza Hassanali GHIASI CHEKA (IRI), 10-2
70kg - David BAEV (RUS) df. Meisam Abolfazl NASIRI (IRI), 6-1
74kg - Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) df. Reza Alireza AFZALIPAEMAMI (IRI), 6-0
79kg - Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS) df. Mojtaba ASGHARI OSMAVANDANI (IRI), via fall
86kg- Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Mersad MARGHZARI (IRI), 10-0
92kg - Mohammadjavad EBRAHIMIZIVLAEI (IRI) df. Magomed KURBANOV (RUS), 2-1
97kg - Vladislav BAITCAEV (RUS) df. Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI), 2-1
125kg - Zelimkhan KHIZRIEV (RUS) df. Amin Hossein TAHERI (IRI), 10-0

Third-Place Match
United States df. Japan, 6-4
57kg - Zachary Luke SANDERS (USA) df. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN), via inj. def.
61kg - Yudai FUJITA (JPN) df. Nicholas Daniel MEGALUDIS (USA), 4-4
65kg - Zain Allen RETHERFORD (USA) df. Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), 10-0
70kg - Kojiro SHIGA (JPN) df. Jason Lyle CHAMBERLAIN (USA), 5-3
74kg - Isaiah Alexander MARTINEZ (USA) df. Yuto MIWA (JPN), 10-0
79kg - Yuta ABE (JPN) df. Thomas GANTT JR (USA), 3-2
86kg - Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) df. Samuel Joseph BROOKS (USA), 14-3
92kg - Hayden Nicholas ZILLMER (USA) df. Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN), 10-0
97kg - Kyven Ross GADSON (USA) df. Naoya AKAGUMA (JPN), 3-2
125kg - Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) df. Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN), 5-3

Fifth-Place Match
Cuba df. Mongolia, 6-4
57kg - TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL) df. Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB), 2-1
61kg - Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. GANSUKH Otgonbaatar (MGL), 3-2
65kg - BATCHULUUN Batmagnai (MGL) df. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB), via forfeit
70kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. ENKHBAYAR Byambadorj (MGL), 4-0
74kg - BYAMBASUREN Bat-Erdene (MGL) df. Cristian COLOMBAT RIVERA (CUB), via fall
79kg - Reinier PEREZ ABREU (CUB) df. BAT ERDENE Byambadorj (MGL)10-0
86kg - ORGODOL Uitumen (MGL) df. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB), 4-4
92kg - Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) df. BAASANTSOGT Ulziisaikhan (MGL), 11-0
97kg - Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) df. ULZIISAIKHAN Batzul (MGL), 2-0
125kg - Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) df. DORJKHAND Khuderbulga (MGL)

Seventh-Place Match
Georgia df. Turkey, 8-2
57kg - Ali KARABOGA (TUR) df. Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO), via inj. def.
65kg - Munir Recep AKTAS (TUR) df. Tornike KATAMADZE (GEO), via inj. def.
70kg - Amiran VAKHTANGASHVILI (GEO) df. Cengizhan ERDOGAN (TUR), via forfeit
74kg - Mirza SKHULUKHIA (GEO) df. Serhat ARSLAN (TUR), 6-2
70kg - Zurabi ERBOTSONASHVILI (GEO) df. Nazim Selami KARA (TUR), 11-0
74kg - Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) df. Abdulkadir OZMEN (TUR), 7-2
79kg - Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Fatih ERDIN (TUR), via inj. def.
86kg - Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) df. Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR), 6-2
97kg - Mamuka KORDZAIA (GEO) df. Ali BONCEOGLU (TUR), 9-6
125kg - Rolandi ANDRIADZE (GEO) df. Abdullah OMAC (TUR), 6-5

Development

Iraqi Wrestling Federation host 2nd course for Coaches and Referees

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 12:56 By United World Wrestling Press

Baghdad, Iraq (June 17) – The Iraqi Wrestling Federation continues to look to provide education for their coaches and referees. From May 25-30, the IRQ Federation hosted a Level 2 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course. These were conducted in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. The coaching course was led by Mr. Hassan Madany (EGY) and the referee course was led by Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael (IRQ).

The Level 2 coaching course focused on the designing and implementing of practice plans. There were 25 coaches that participated in the course. The participants The following topics were covered throughout the course: seven basic skills of wrestling, introduction to performance analysis designing effective practice sessions, and technical session. During the course, the coaches actively practiced and developed their skills through practical evaluations. “The atmosphere was comfortable and collaborative, creating an excellent learning environment. Everyone was eager to engage with the course content across various topics, but there was particular enthusiasm for match performance analysis and practical application. Notably, most participants were former international players, including some who competed in the London 2012 Olympics in the 130 kg Greco-Roman category, such as Coach Ali Nazem. Their presence significantly enhanced the course level, especially in the practical aspects. In the end, I was pleased to be part of this course and to work alongside such a distinguished group of coaches.” Said Mr. Madany.

The Introduction to Refereeing Course was the first-ever women-only course in Iraq. This course had 17 women who were new to refereeing. The participants learned the foundations of what it takes to be a great referee. The areas covered during the course included: safety of the athletes, evaluation of holds, referee mechanics, positioning, and controlling the bout. The participants were active during the course and were able to practice their skills through practical evaluations. “The course was conducted successfully and demonstrated strong organization throughout. The participants showed a high level of enthusiasm, which was clearly reflected in their active engagement during the sessions. Despite all attendees having no prior experience in wrestling, their overall performance was commendable. Several participants displayed exceptional comprehension and aptitude, which was evident in their practical application of refereeing skills during the championship held the day after the course concluded.” Said Mr. Hadi Hasan Ismael.

At the conclusion of the courses, the Iraqi Wrestling Federation organized a competition. The competition allowed the coaches and referees to directly practice the new skills that they learned.

“First of all, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the International Wrestling Federation and the Development Committee of the Federation for their continuous support in developing wrestling in Iraq. Regarding the training and refereeing course, which concluded with great success, the lecturers Hassan Madani and Hadi Hassan presented valuable and useful expertise and information, which was well received and appreciated by all participants”. said Mr. Shaalan Abdulkadhim, President of Iraqi Wrestling Federation.

IRQ Participants gather for a group photo following the conclusion of the Level 2 Coaching Course in Baghdad. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Quotes from some of the participants:

“The course was of great importance, particularly due to the inclusion of practical applications, which proved to be the most engaging and beneficial aspect for the participants. These hands-on sessions complemented the theoretical lectures, which focused on thoroughly studying the core materials and concepts before transitioning to their practical implementation.” – Hoyam Jazea

“The course was very enjoyable and rich with valuable information that has already benefited us and will certainly be useful in the future. Although the duration of the course was short, the knowledge we gained was impactful and left a lasting impression. For future, I hope there will be more courses, as it would allow us to deepen our understanding and expand our knowledge of refereeing.” – Saja Tariq

"The overall impression of the Level 1 Wrestling Refereeing Course was very positive. It was a well-structured and fruitful course that provided a solid introduction to the fundamentals of wrestling, including basic techniques, refereeing principles, mat movement, and scoring methods. The theoretical component was clearly presented, and the instructor’s approach to delivering the material was excellent, making the information easy to understand and absorb.” – Rusul Falah

Russia Rolls Over Iran, Wins Freestyle World Cup Title

Comments

Iraqi Wrestling Federation host 2nd course for Coaches and Referees