#development

Serbia hosts UWW Level 2 coaching course

Monday, November 27, 2023 - 12:24 By United World Wrestling Press

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DIVCIBARE, Serbia (November 27) – After a strong performance at the World Championships, Serbia organized a coaching course to help grow and develop their coaches. This course was conducted in collaboration between United World Wrestling and the Serbian Wrestling Federation. The UWW Level 2 course was held at Divcibare, the same location as the World Championships Acclimation Camp held in September. The course was led by Mr. Georgi SREDKOV (BUL) and Mr. Árpád RITTER (HUN) from November 13-17.    

The Level 2 course focused on many topics around developing effective practice plans. This included the following topics:  basic wrestling skills, performance analysis, theoretical frameworks, practice plan essentials, strength and conditioning, and practice plan series. Dr. Milorad DOKMANAC (SRB) also delivered a session on performance analysis from the most recent major competitions. This allowed the 49 coaches in attendance to see how matches were won and what techniques were successful at those levels. In addition to training topics for the course, the participants also participated in sessions on athlete safeguarding, nutrition and weight management, and mental development of wrestlers.

“The course went great. There were many participants, club coaches, all national coaches and competitors wanting to become future coaches," said Georgi Sredkov. "The conditions at hotel and base were excellent--top level. The trainers were positively fit and it showed in the many smiles. During the course, wonderful ideas emerged for developing the sport of wrestling.”

“I think we have passed a well-successful course. The older generation, together with the young people, were positive towards our ideas," said Árpád Ritter. "It was nice to be here and hear the different ideas and see what they heard, think about, and try to use from the course! I am in the fortunate position that I also learned from them.” 

SRBParticipants spend some time together on the mat at he UWW Level 2 course in Divcibare. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Quotes from some participants:

"The course was of high quality, very educational and presented and conducted in a great way. The lecturers Georgi Sredkov and Arpad Ritter were up to the task, accurate, precise, very thorough, available for cooperation and questions, as well as providing answers and constructive solutions. I really appreciate it and I look forward to new friendships and even better education and friendship. Thank you!" - Dragana Jankov

"I am glad I had the opportunity to participate in this seminar, improve my knowledge and get to know the local wrestling scene. These events are important for the future development of positive sports practices and I am happy to be a part of them. Big thanks to the whole organization and amazing lecturers for providing us with the latest industry knowledge to support our future work." - Abel Antonio Balsinde Acosta

"This course has not only equipped me with new training methodologies but also affirmed the effectiveness of my existing approach. Learning innovative training principles from Georgi Sredkov and Arpad Ritter has broadened my skillset while confirming that my current strategies align with best practices. Empowered and validated, I'm eager to apply these skills, and I look forward to attending the next course." - Vukašin Veizović

"I express my great gratitude for the wonderful seminar in all respects. I would be grateful for new seminars (new topics) of this amazing lectures. (Georgi Sredkov and Arpad Ritter) Thank you very much! The information was presented in a very interesting and accessible way, all the questions of interest were answered!" - Ivan Mladenovic

Esmaeili survives Jafarov shock to win ISG 2025 gold

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 18:51 By Vinay Siwach

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 18) -- He needed some strong defense to win the world title and on Tuesday, Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) needed some clutch offense to beat Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) for the second time in two one month.

Esmaeili and Jafarov clashed in the final of the 67kg weight class at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyad, Saudi Arabi and it seemed that the latter was on his way to upset the Olympic champion and avenge his loss from the World Championships final.

Down 3-3 on criteria, all seemed to be over for Esmaeili as the clock ticked down. In the last 10 seconds, Esmaeili worked on a double-arm lock and then managed to throw Jafarov in danger from standing for four points which changed the result and gave him the win.

Azerbaijan challenged the call but there was no change in the result and Esmaeili defeated Jafarov 8-3, to capture yet another gold medal this year after Asian and World Championships.

Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI)Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) throws Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) during their 67kg bout. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In Zagreb, Esmaeili was put in par terre for third passivity call. Jafarov, down 2-1, needed a point to turn the result but he failed to score any points as Esmaeili defended the par terre position and captured his first world title.

Jafarov blamed a lapse in concentration in the final seconds that costed him the gold medal in Riyadh.

Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI)Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) won his fourth gold medal this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's other world champion from Zagreb, Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) made it seem a little easier as he defeated former world U20 champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 6-0, winning his third gold in one month.

Farokhi, who won gold at 82kg at the World Championships, moved to 87kg for U23 World Championships and won gold without giving up a point in Novi Sad. Just two weeks later, he now gold at 87kg on Tuesday.

Against Yevloyev in the final, Farokhi was awarded both par terre position which gave him a 2-0 lead. From the second par terre, he managed to score a point as he threw Yevloyev for a stepout. The Kazakhstan wrestler was docked two points for defensive foul making it 5-0.

Kazakhstan challenged the foul call but Yevloyev had clearly blocked Farokhi using his elbow on the Iranian's face. The lost challenged made it 6-0 for Farokhi, giving him the win.

Farokhi had a tough match in semifinals against world bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) and needed a takedown in the final minute to win 7-6, first time he has shown some difficulty winning bouts.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) won the 77kg gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Two other gold medals were awarded on Tuesday with former U23 world champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) winning the 60kg one and two-time Olympic medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) marking his comeback with gold medal at 77kg.

Makhmudov, who has not wrestled in a full tournament since winning bronze in Paris, was in some form as he made no mistake in his run to the gold medal. In the final, he wrestled Amir ABDI (IRI) and performed a reverse lift throw for five points before securing the fall in the second period.

Abdi got the par terre position in the first period but Makhmudov defended the position, giving only a 1-0 lead to the Iranian. When he got the par terre position, he jumped to the front before performing the lift and holding Abdi on the mat for fall.

Ganiev, who defeated European champion Nihad MAMMADLI (AZE) in the quarterfinal, defeated Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) in the semifinal and humbled Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 8-0, in the final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 8-0

BRONZE: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), 3-2
BRONZE: Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) df. Fergat ABDELKRIM (ALG), 5-1

67kg
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 8-3

BRONZE: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), 5-2
BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY), via fall (9-0)

77kg
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Amir ABDI (IRI), via fall (6-1)

BRONZE: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) df. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), 2-2
BRONZE: Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) df. Sami SLAMA (TUN), via fall (8-1)

87kg
GOLD: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 6-0

BRONZE: Sid BACHIR (ALG) df. Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK), 9-0
BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-1