#WrestleSamokov

Russia Wins Cadet Euro WW Team Title

By United World Wrestling Press

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (June 18) --- Russia came into the final day of women’s wrestling at the Cadet European Championships with a four-point lead over Ukraine. After winning four of five medal matches on Friday night, they claimed the team title with 179 points. In the end, Russia finished 24 points ahead of Ukraine and picked up medals in nine weight classes – including a trio of titles.

Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) won Russia’s lone gold of the day, but they also earned three bronzes and a silver.

Ukraine and Belarus closed out the competition with a pair of Day Five champions and finished with 155 points. But when it was all said and done, Ukraine held criteria after winning three golds compared to Belarus’ pair of champions.

Ukraine’s pair of champions were Anastasiia POLSKA (40kg) and Iryna BONDAR (61kg). Polska pinned Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) and won her third European gold medal. She also won U15 European gold in ’19 and ’21. Ukrainian’s second Friday champion Bondar also scored a fall in the gold-medal match. She stuck Kseniya TSIARENIA (BLR) and improved on her runner-up finish from the ’19 U15 European Championships.

Sviatlana KATENKA (46kg) and Viktoryia RADZKOVA (69kg) were Belarus’ pair of champs. Katenka defeated Sofia FEDORCHENKO (RUS), 7-4, while Radzkova shutout Karolina Janina JAWORSKA (POL), 6-0.

RESULTS

40kg
GOLD - Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) df. Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU), via fall
BRONZE - Tana TIULIUSH (RUS) df. Veranika PRYLOUSKAYA (BLR)

46kg
GOLD - Sviatlana KATENKA (BLR) df. Sofia FEDORCHENKO (RUS), 7-4
BRONZE - Kornelia Nikolett LASZLO (HUN) df. Diana LATS (UKR), 2-0
BRONZE - Zenfira HASHIMOVA (AZE) df. Marina SATKOEVI (GEO), 5-0

53kg
GOLD - Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) df. Tuba DEMIR (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE - Volha HARDZEI (BLR) df. Oliwia MAKUCH (GER), via fall
BRONZE - Immacolata DANISE (ITA) df. Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), 12-2

61kg
GOLD - Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Kseniya TSIARENIA (BLR), via fall
BRONZE - Busra EFE (TUR) df. Viktoria BORSOS (HUN), 5-2
BRONZE - Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) df. Masa PEROVIC (SRB), 10-0

69kg
GOLD - Viktoryia RADZKOVA (BLR) df. Karolina Janina JAWORSKA (POL), 6-0
BRONZE - Alina RYBKINA (RUS) df. Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR), 3-2
BRONZE - Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN) df. Cassidy RICHTER (GER), 4-0

#WrestleParis

Techniques, safety, focus: UWW referees ready for Paris 2024

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- United World Wrestling referees for Paris 2024 completed a three-day seminar from June 21 to 23, hosted by the Greek Wrestling Federation in Athens. The seminar was held to prepare for the Olympics, where referees will be ITOs.

The program consisted of self and group analysis of previous performance, theoretical study, mental preparedness, medical and safety training as well as on-the-mat training with Women's Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaching experts.

Led by the President of the UWW Athletes Commission, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, as well as coaches Alfred TER-MKRTCHYAN, Patrick NUDING and Amiran KARDANOV and wrestlers Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE), referees analyzed common wrestling techniques and tactics in all styles and the proper philosophy and mechanisms referees should utilize when evaluating these situations.

Referee seminar

During these sessions, Julfalakyan also emphasized concerns and questions he receives from wrestlers and how we can improve the communication between athletes and referees when discussing the application of the rules.

Mental strength training sessions were led by Holger KNOLL, a trained mental strength coach specializing in athlete training. His sessions focused on how referees can improve their concentration and focus before, during and after competitions.

Babak SHADGAN, President of the UWW Medical Commission, provided medical and safety training, with focus on the role a referee plays in injury prevention.

In addition to the referee's instruction, Tristan MORAD, UWW Sports Department Coordinator, provided a presentation on the logistics and schedule of the wrestling of Paris 2024.

United World Wrestling and the UWW Referee Commission graciously thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and its President, Stergios LEONKIS, and UWW Bureau Vice President, Theodore HAMAKOS and numerous volunteers for their organization and hospitality in hosting the seminar.