Statement

Statement from Wrestling President Lalovic on Terrorist Attack in Kabul

Thursday, September 6, 2018 - 19:54 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 6) – Statement from United World Wrestling President and International Olympic Committee Executive Board member Nenad LALOVIC following news of Wednesday’s terrorist attacks at a wrestling tournament in Kabul.

United World Wrestling and the worldwide wrestling family are shocked and saddened to learn of Wednesday’s violent attack on innocent wrestlers during a competition in Kabul. We have been in touch with the Afghanistan Wrestling Federation and has offered them any support they require in this time of need.

Wrestling competitions are a place for our young athletes to feel safe as they test their skills, form friendships and learn important lessons about teamwork. Wednesday’s attack looks to shake our confidence, but we stand together with all wrestlers around the world in condemning this barbaric act of cowardice. 

United World Wrestling sends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in this senseless attack.

World Combat Games: Kyrgyzstan dominates final day in Riyadh

Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 18:17 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (October 26) -- Central Asian powerhouses Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan returned with a rich haul of gold medals in Belt Wrestling at the World Combat Games in Riyadh on Thursday.

While wrestlers from Kyrgyzstan won four gold medals, their counterparts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan completed a golden hat-trick each. The competition was held in 10 categories across the two styles: Qazak (men’s 65kg, 75kg, 85kg; women’s 60kg, 70kg) and Alysh (men’s 70kg, 80kg, 90kg; women’s 55kg, 65kg).

Begai BEISHENAALY KYZY (KGZ) began the medal rush for Kyrgyzstan with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Mariam MAZANASHVILI (GEO) by Zhartylai Zheni, the acting of putting your opponent on the mat with three-point contact, in the women's Qazak Style 60kg. Soon after, Marlen ABDURASULOV (KGZ) overcame Mohammad NABIZADEH (IRI) by fall in the Men's Alysh Style 70kg.

Azizkhan MUSABEK UULU (KGZ) beat Arslan HOJAMBERDIYEV (TKM) to extend Kyrgyzstan’s dominance. He won in the Men's Alysh Style 90kg. And in the day’s penultimate gold medal bout, Elzada MOMUNZHANOVA (KGZ) defeated Gantsetseg GANBOLD (MGL) 4-2 in the Women's Alysh Style 55kg to cap off a successful day in office for the country’s wrestlers.

Meanwhile, Zhumazhan KOZHAMBEKOV, Madi AMANGELDI and Roza NYSSANTAIKYZ led the march for Kazakhstan. All three gold medals for the wrestlers from Kazakhstan came in the Qazak style.

In the women's 70kg category, Nyssantaikyz was dominant from the get-go. She began her campaign with a win over Shakhnoza BOZOROVA (UZB) and followed it up with another strong show against the Netherlands’ Sem VAN DUN (NED). In the final, the Kazakh wrestler defeated Mariasole MOMENTE (ITA) via Taza, a throw that lands the opponent with both shoulders on the mat.

There was some consolation for Van Dun as she won a bronze medal along with Reihaneh GILANIASL (IRI).

Kozhambekov, meanwhile, reigned supreme in the men’s 75kg category of the Qazak style as he defeated Tornike GRIGALASHVILI (GEO) 2-0 in the final. It was the only time in the day Kozhambekov was made to work hard as he hardly broke a sweat en route to the gold medal bout.

It was a similar story in the 85kg class, too, where Amangeldi won all three of his bout via Taza, a flawless throw for victory, as he romped to the top of the podium. After making short work of Sanga GOMBOSUREN (MGL) in the quarterfinals and Amir SHEIKH HOSSEINI (NED) in the semifinals, Amangeldi defeated Khamroz RAJABOV (TJK) in the final.

Nur AMANSHUKIROV (KAZ) could have won another gold medal for Kazakhstan but he fell short against an inspired Manucher SHIRINOV (UZB), who didn’t put a foot wrong as he claimed the title in the 65kg category.

Meanwhile, the day that began with a gold medal for Uzbekistan, with Shirinov claiming the title, ended on a similar note after Maftunbonu MAHMUDOVA (UZB) beat Jemal OVLYAKULYYEVA (TKM) 9-6 in the women's Alysh Style 65kg. Khusan ABDUKHAKIMOV (UZB) beat Rozymyrat MEDOV (TKM) via fall to win the title in men’s Alysh Style 80kg.