#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

2026 U23 European Championships

Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

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ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 15) -- Since 2024, Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has suffered only one loss -- to Darius KIEFER (GER) in the final of 2025 U20 European Championships.

On either side of that loss, Yakushenko had won two age-group European and three world titles. He has also avenged that loss to Kiefer and now heads the head-to-head, 4-1, with his latest victory over the German coming on Saturday at the U23 European Championships.

A day later on Sunday, Yakushenko added his second U23 European title after he defeated former U20 world champion and Paris Olympian Abubakr KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1, in perhaps his toughest match of the tournament.

"This [U23] European Championships was really tough for me," Yakushenko said. "Not as easy as I imagined. I thought it would be easier, but overall I think the hardest fights are still ahead."

In the final, Yakushenko was awarded the first passivity point and the par terre position from wihch he lifted Khaslakhanau and brought him towards the edge of the mat but failed to land the Belarussian wrestler in danger. He was awarded a point for the stepout which gave him a 2-0 lead.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR)Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) tries to throw Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaslakhanau got his chance in the second period when Yakushenko was put in par terre but failed to score any points. With a 2-1 lead, Yakushenko needed some good defense with two minutes left in the match.

While he had a couple of slip-ups during that time, Yakushenko did not give up any points. He was later warned for fleeing but managed to remain in contact after that. Belarus challenged for fleeing in the last 10 seconds but it was ruled out, adding one more point to Yakushenko's score.

"I had the same plan for all my opponents. It was tough," he said.

This was Yakushenko's third straight win over Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medalist and now a two-time U23 world silver medalist to go with his bronze as well.

Yakushenko defeated the Belarus wrestler twice last year -- a 7-3 victory at the U23 European Championships and then a 3-3 win at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad.

Daniial AGAEV (RUS)Daniial AGAEV (RUS) completed an 8-0 victory over William REENBERG (DEN) in just 37 seconds. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Agaev Leads Russia to Team Title

In other finals, Russia won two gold medals while Azerbiajan and Armenia won one gold each.

World bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (RUS) led an inspired performance from Russia as it won the Greco-Roman team title. Russia won the Freestyle team title as well in Zrenjanin.

With 190 points, Russia was the best team. Armenia managed 113 points to finish second and Georgia finished third with 106 points.

Agaev need only 37 seconds to win his 67kg final against William REENBERG (DEN). He scored a takedown and transitioned into a gut-wrench, winning 8-0.

Rabil ASKEROV (RUS)Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) defeated Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Russia's second gold medal came at 72kg Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) blanked Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the final. Wrestling in only his third international tournament, Askerov began the final with a stepout before getting the par terre position. He did not score any points from the position but led 2-0.

An arm-drag to takedown doubled the lead to 4-0 before the break. In the second period, Askerov got another takedown to extend his lead to 6-0. The takedown also ended any hopes for Pada to get the par terre position.

Askerov would defend his 6-0 and win gold, his first major medal.

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM)Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) uses the seatbelt grip to throw Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) captured his first U23 European title after a series of suplex to beat Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0, in the 60kg final.

The former U20 champion was awarded the par terre in the first period which gave him a 1-0 lead. Kochalidze did well to defend the position but just as the referee was about to call neutral, Aghajanyan changed to a seatbelt grip and tossed Kochalidze in the opposite direction for two points.

He continued the same move with the seatbelt grip and was awarded four points for the second throw, giving him a 7-0 lead. The third throw was also scored four points, confirming an 11-0 victory for Aghajanyan.

Georgia challenged the decision, hoping that the throws will be scored two points each. But upon review the first throw was scored four points instead of original two points. With the second throw also being a four-pointer, the final was over, 9-0, a technical superiority win for the 2025 U23 world bronze medalist.

Elmin ALIYEV (AZE)Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia suffered its second loss in the final at 82kg after Tornike MIKELADZE's (GEO) heartbreak against Elmin ALIYEV (AZE), 3-2.

Aliyev was down 2-0 at the break after giving up a stepout and passivity point in the first period. However, he managed to score a stepout at the start of the second period that later proved to be a crucial moment in the final.

Down 2-1, Aliyev was awarded the par terre position, giving him a 2-2 criteria lead. He failed to score any points from par terre but the criteria of scoring the last points remained with him and that enabled him to win the final.

Georgia threw a late challenge, asking for fleeing from Aliyev. But there was no evident fleeing and Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point to Aliyev, who won 3-2.

Photo

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) df. Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilian AINAOUI (FRA) df. Brian SANTIAGO (DEN), 1-1

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (RUS) df. William REENBERG (DEN), 8-0

BRONZE: Azat SARIYAR (TUR) df. Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Farid KHALILOV (AZE) df. Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) df. Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0

BRONZE  Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Leonard IURASCU (ROU), 5-4 
BRONZE: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) df. Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 3-2

BRONZE: Illia VALEUSKI (BLR) df. Szabolcs SZINAY (HUN), 10-1
BRONZE: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df. Alexander AEMAES (NOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1

BRONZE: Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Robin USPENSKI (EST), 6-4
BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Luka GABISONIA (GEO), 9-3