#BudaWrestle2018

Staebler Tops Korpasi to Claim No.3, Bacsi Wins No.2 in Home Country

By Andrew Hipps

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 26) -- Frank STAEBLER (GER) came from behind late to claim his third world title on Friday night at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

The 29-year-old Staebler faced crowd favorite Balint KORPASI (HUN), a 2016 world champion, in the gold-medal match at 72kg. The German star scored the first point of the match off a passivity, but Korpasi took the lead in the second period with a passivity point of his own.

Trailing on criteria late, Staebler scored a step out with less than a minute remaining to take a 2-1 lead and held on for the victory.  

Wrestling in his home country, Peter BACSI (HUN) came back to win his second world title, beating Emrah KUS (TUR) 4-3 in the finals at 82kg. Kus controlled the early part of the match and took a 3-0 lead into the second period. The 35-year-old Bacsi rallied in the second period, scoring a passivity point before locking up a gut wrench and turning Kus. He then added a step out with a minute and half remaining to grab a 4-3 lead, which proved to be the difference. 

Two-time junior world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) captured his first senior world title with a dominant 10-0 technical fall over Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in less than a minute in the gold-medal match at 55kg. 

Azizli wasted little time putting points on the scoreboard, using a front headlock to secure a four-point throw and adding an additional two points off a leg foul. The match ended a short time later as Azizli lifted Sharshenbekov and scored a four-point throw for the technical fall.

After winning a world bronze last year, Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) upgraded his world medal by claiming a gold medal at 63kg with a 6-3 win over Olympic bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB). 

Maryanyan picked up a takedown 40 seconds into the match and added a passivity point to lead 3-0 at the break. Tasmuradov scored a passivity point in the second period and then used a gut wrench to score another two. However, a flurry ensued and Maryanyan received two exposure points. After a failed challenge by Uzbekistan, the Russian led by three and held on to win.

Bronze medals at 55kg went to Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) and Ekrem OZTURK (TUR). Tsurtsumia used a pair of arm throws to roll to an 11-0 technical fall over Liguo CAO (CHN). It's the Georgian's first senior world medal after winning two junior world medals. Ozturk, a university world champion, shut out Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM) 4-0. 

Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) topped Erbatu TUO (CHN) 3-1 in the first bronze-medal match at 63kg. Temirov, a 2010 junior world bronze medalist, used a late first-period takedown to pace him to the victory. Rahman BILICI (TUR) defeated Hassan MOHAMED (EGY) 6-1 for the other bronze medal at 63kg. The 28-year-old Bilici broke open a close match in the second period with a headlock to go up 4-1. He would add a takedown to win by five.

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) used a gut wrench to cruise to a 9-0 first-period technical fall over Tarek BENAISSA (ALG) in the first bronze-medal match at 72kg. Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), a 2015 world champion, added his fourth world-level medal with a 4-3 win over Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS).

In a battle of returning world medalists, 2017 world champion Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) defeated Saeid ABDVALI (IRI) 4-1 in the first bronze-medal match at 82kg. Abdvali led 1-1 on criteria in the second period before Manukyan scored two points from the front headlock position and held on to win by three after a failed challenge by Iran. Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) used two second-period turns to defeat Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 5-1 in the other bronze-medal match at 82kg. It's Azisbekov's second world medal after winning a silver in 2015. 

Finals Results

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Liguo CAO (CHN) by VSU, 11-0
BRONZE: Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) df. Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM) by VPO, 4-0

63kg
GOLD: Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) df. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) by VPO1, 6-3
BRONZE: Rahman BILICI (TUR) df. Hassan MOHAMED (EGY) by VPO1, 6-1
BRONZE: Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) df. Erbatu TUO (CHN) by VPO1, 3-1

72kg
GOLD: Frank STAEBLER (GER) df. Balint KORPASI (HUN) by VPO1, 2-1
BRONZE: Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) df. Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) by VPO1, 4-3
BRONZE: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) df. Tarek BENAISSA (ALG) by VSU, 9-0

82kg
GOLD: Peter BACSI (HUN) df. Emrah KUS (TUR) by VPO1, 4-3
BRONZE: Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) df. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) by VPO1, 5-1
BRONZE: Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) df. Saeid Morad ABDVALI (IRI) by VPO1, 4-1
 

#development

Women's coaches and referees course held in Colombia

By United World Wrestling Press

RIONEGRO, Colombia (April 23) -- An unprecedented international course, exclusively for Spanish-speaking female coaches and referees, was held in Rionegro, Colombia from April 16 to 18.

Organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) with support from Olympic Solidarity, the event took place at the Recinto Quirama, gathering 33 participants from 15 Latin American countries.

The course was inaugurated by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY, UWW Sport and Development Officer Yuri Maier and member of the UWW Americas Executive Committee Fanny ECHEVERRY.

The educational sessions were led by Rafael GALVA LEBRON, an Olympic referee and member of the UWW Referee Commission, known for his passionate and dynamic teaching style and Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, one of the most respected Greco-Roman wrestling coaches globally, recognized for guiding the legendary Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB).

Throughout three days filled with camaraderie, learning, and solidarity, the participants engaged in integrated theoretical and practical sessions conducted in a shared venue.

This approach facilitated dynamic exchanges, ongoing dialogue between coaches and referees, and created a supportive and collaborative learning environment. The course activities included live simulations, technical analyses, motivational talks, and workshops on leadership and personal development.

Notably, the event featured motivational speeches by Jackeline RENTERIA, Colombia's two-time Olympic medalist and a leading figure in Women's Wrestling on the continent, and Jessica ECHEVERRY, President of the Risaraldense Wrestling League.

Both speakers emphasized shared experiences and the importance of women supporting each other beyond individual differences.

COLParticipants listen to United World Wrestling's Development Department's opening remarks. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"This course was a significant opportunity to continue learning and to give back to the sport that has given me so much," Nes RODRIGUEZ (PUR) said. "Now, as a sports director, my goal is to inspire children and youth by showing them that sports can provide a life full of opportunities beyond any hardships."

Other expressed how motivated they were after attending the courses.

"It reminded me of the importance of never giving up, not only as a coach but also as a woman," Keliyojana VAZQUEZ (MEX) said. "I'm returning home with new tools to improve my work and appreciate myself more in every aspect."

"I leave with the commitment to build networks of support and communication among us," Paula GRAJALES (COL) said. "We are friends and colleagues who must unite to grow together and continue transforming our communities and the sport."

The pioneering course, aligned with the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) agenda of the International Olympic Committee, represented a historic milestone for women's wrestling in Latin America

The notable personal growth experienced by the participants confirmed that when women come together and put aside competition, they significantly amplify their transformative power, strengthening the future of women's sports in the region.