#WrestleBelgrade

Sadulaev Helps Russia Go 4-for-4 in FS Semifinals

Thursday, December 17, 2020 - 18:23 By Andrew Hipps

Share this article

Link:
Semifinal Highlights

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 17) -- Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) helped Russia go 4-for-4 in Thursday's freestyle semifinal round at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

Sadualev, a four-time world champion, outscored his three opponents 32-3 on Thursday, finishing his day with a 12-1 semifinal victory over Valerii ANDRIITSEV (UKR). Sadulaev gave up the first point of the match to go down 1-0, but dominated the rest of the way, getting a takedown off a single leg before locking up a gut wrench and turning Andriitsev five times to earn the technical superiority.

The Russian Tank will face Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) in the 97kg final. The two have met multiple times, including in the 2019 European Championships final. Hushtyn was impressive in his semifinal match, earning a shutout (8-0) over Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE).

Russia's other semifinal winners on Thursday were Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (61kg), Akhmed USMANOV (79kg) and Dauren KURUGLIEV (86kg).

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) advanced to the finals at 61kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Magomedov blanked Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) 7-0 in his 61kg semifinal match. He led 5-0 at the break and added a takedown in the final period. The other semifinal winner was Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE), who topped Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK), 8-1. Gvarzatilov scored with a four-point move in the opening period, which helped him earn the victory. 

Usmanov rolled to a technical superiority (10-0) over Baliyan GOURAV (IND) to reach the 79kg final. After going up 7-0 in the first period, Usmanov scored with a step out and takedown to close out the match. 

Muhammet KOTANOGLU (TUR) celebrates after reaching the 79kg final (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

The other semifinal match at 79kg was much more competitive, with Muhammet KOTANOGLU (TUR) edging Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) 4-4 on criteria. The Turkish wrestler scored with a four-point move in the opening period and led 4-2 at the break. Mykhailov picked up a takedown with just under 20 seconds remaining, but Kotanoglu held on to win by criteria on the strength of his four-point move in the opening period. 

Kurugliev shut out world No.2 Deepak PUNIA (IND) to advance to the 86kg final. All the scoring came in the first period, with Kurugliev getting a takedown and gut wrench. Winning the other 86kg semifinal was Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL), who edged Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP) 3-2. Baranowski scored his first two points off the activity clock and led most of the match. With 35 seconds remaining, Friev Naskidaeva scored with a two-point exposure to take a very brief criteria lead before Baranowski earned the reversal, which turned out to be to be the difference in the match. 

Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) edged three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) to reach the 65kg final (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

One of the most anticipated semifinal matches took place at 65kg, with world bronze medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) facing three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE). Earlier in the day, Aliyev won by injury default over 2019 world champion Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS). Muszukajev edged Aliyev 7-6, scoring six quick points early in the second period, which included a four-pointer. Aliyev rallied, picking up two takedowns and a late step out but could not complete the comeback. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) earned a 7-2 victory over Hor OHANNESIAN (UKR) in the other 65kg semifinal.

Freestyle Semifinal Results

61kg
Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) df. Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK) by VPO1, 8-1
Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG) by VPO, 7-0

65kg
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Hor OHANNESIAN (UKR) by VPO1, 7-2
Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) df. Haji ALIYEV (AZE) by VPO1, 7-6

79kg
Akhmed USMANOV (RUS) df. Baliyan GOURAV (IND) by VSU, 10-0
Muhammet KOTANOGLU (TUR) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) by VPO1, 4-4

86kg
Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) df. Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP) by VPO1, 3-2
Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by VPO, 4-0

97kg
Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Valerii ANDRIITSEV (UKR) by VSU1, 12-1
Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) df. Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE) by VPO, 8-0
 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 12:45 By United World Wrestling Press

Share this article

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.