#WrestleBucharest

Sadulaev Slides into Monday Night's Semifinals

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 13:01 By Eric Olanowski

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BUCHAREST, Romania (April 8) - The Russian Federation, led by three-time world and Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV compiled an 8-2 record in the opening round and inserted three of five wrestlers into Monday night’s semifinals.  

Sadualev, the top-ranked wrestler in the world at 97kg, easily picked up wins against his first two opponents, outscoring them, 15-2. “The Russian Tank” shutout Azerbaijan’s returning European bronze medalist Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) in the opening round, then drilled Germany’s 2017 U23 European bronze medalist Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER), 12-3, to reach the semifinals. 

In the semifinals, the three-time European champion will wrestle Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD). 

In the second 97kg semifinals match, Kaspiisk silver medalist Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) will lace up against Georgia’s 2018 world bronze medalist Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO). 

In addition to Abdularashid Sadualev, Russia’s Muslim SADULAEV and Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV also made the semifinals at 57kg and 79kg respectively. 

The reigning Ivan Yariguin champion, Muslim Sadulaev, scored a pair of close victories en route to his 57kg semifinals run. 

First, Sadulaev scored a 5-2 win over Vladimir EGOROV (MKD), then followed that up with a 4-2 victory over Spain’s Levan METREVELI VARTANOV. He’ll wrestle Romania’s Andrei DUKOV (ROU), who snuck past Italy’s Givi DAVIDOVI, 4-2, for a spot in Monday night’s semifinals.  

The second 57kg semifinal will feature the tournament favorite, reigning world bronze medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR), and Georgi VANGELOV (BUL). 

At 79kg, Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov, the 2018 Budapest world bronze medalist, blew past Turkey’s Muhammet Nuri KOTANOGLU in his quarterfinals match and will square off against Ukraine’s Oleksii DOMANYTSKYI. 

The two weight classes that won’t feature a Russian semifinalist are 65kg and 70kg.

At 65kg, three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) reached the semifinal after scoring the 5-3 come-from-behind win against Nachyn KUULAR (RUS), who knocked off Olympic champion Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) the round prior. Aliyev will take on Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) for a spot in Tuesday night’s finals. 

The other 65kg semifinal is between Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) and Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR).

At 70kg, there were two world champions who were upset in the opening round. 

Azerbaijan’s Aghahuseyn MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) defeated defending world champion Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS), 4-3, in the quarterfinals, then reached the semifinals with a 12-2 win over Devid SAFARYAN (ARM). He’ll take on Great Britain's Nicolae COJOCARU in tonight’s semifinals. 

Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) was the second wrestler to knock off a world champion in the opening round at 70kg. Gadzhiev, in a rematch of the 2017 world finals, avenged his loss and got the best of Georgia’s Zurabi IAKOBIASHVILI, 7-0. 

He’ll wrestle Mustafa KAYA (TUR) tonight's semifinals which begin at 18:00 (local time). 

RESULTS
57kg
SEMIFINAL - Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL) vs. Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 
SEMIFINAL - Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) vs. Andrei DUKOV (ROU)

65kg
SEMIFINAL - Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) vs. Haji ALIYEV (AZE) 
SEMIFINAL - Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) vs. Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)

70kg
SEMIFINAL - Mustafa KAYA (TUR) vs. Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) 
SEMIFINAL - Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR) vs. Aghahuseyn MUSTAFAYEV (AZE)  

79kg
SEMIFINAL - Andrei KARPACH (BLR) vs. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) SEMIFINAL - Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs. Oleksii DOMANYTSKYI (UKR)

97kg
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) vs. Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) 
SEMIFINAL - Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) vs. Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD)

Development

UWW partners with Shigakkan University to expand global wrestling training opportunities

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 11:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 16) – In a significant step towards enhancing training opportunities for athletes, coaches, and the global wrestling community, United World Wrestling has formed a strategic partnership with Shigakkan University, Japan.

Recognized as a pioneering institution in wrestling education, Shigakkan University has been home to many legendary Japanese wrestlers and has played a crucial role in the sport’s development.

The predecessor school of the university was founded in 1905, and its legacy in wrestling education traces back to Chukyo Women’s University Wrestling Club, established in 1989.

Over the years, the institution became highly regarded in the field of physical education, producing numerous Olympic medallists and world-class wrestlers. In 2010, the university was renamed Shigakkan University, opening its door as coeducational institution while continuing their mission of excellence in sports education.

At the heart of Shigakkan University’s philosophy is the principle of “Capacity Building”, which focuses on five key pillars:

  • Wellness – Promoting physical and mental well-being
  • Intellectual Insight – Encouraging academic excellence and innovation
  • Social Ability – Fostering teamwork and communication skills
  • Self-Development – Encouraging continuous personal growth
  • Effective Citizenship – Cultivating leadership and global engagement

UWW President Nenad LALOVIC expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We are thrilled about this new collaboration with Shigakkan University, a prestigious institution recognized as the school of Japanese wrestling and highly respected within the global wrestling community. We are eager and excited to work with our colleagues at SUJ to contribute to the continued development of women’s wrestling worldwide.”

As part of this partnership, the UWW Development Department and Shigakkan University will work together to implement a range of high-impact initiatives, including:

  • Training camps for selected elite wrestlers, providing them with advanced technical, tactical, and physical preparation.
  • Education courses for wrestling coaches, aimed at equipping them with the latest coaching methodologies and sports science knowledge.
  • Knowledge-sharing activities, such as seminars, educational sessions, and coach exchanges, to promote continuous learning and best practices within the wrestling community.

These initiatives will play a vital role in strengthening world-class athlete preparation systems, supporting referees and coaches, and ensuring experience-sharing, particularly in the advancement of women’s wrestling.

Through this collaboration, UWW and Shigakkan University aim to elevate the sport by fostering international cooperation, enhancing training standards, and nurturing the next generation of wrestling champions.