#Yariguin2019

Three "Must Watch" Day Two Matches at the Ivan Yariguin

By Eric Olanowski

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 24) - The brackets for the second day of freestyle and women's wrestling at the Ivan Yariguin have been released and here are three potential matches that you can't afford to miss. 

1. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) vs. Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS)

This 65kg semifinals match is a long-shot and would require several pieces to fall perfectly into place, but if they do, the matchup between two-time world bronze medalist, Akhmed Chakaev and two-time world runner-up Gadzhimurad Rashidov will be a high-flying electric showdown. 

Here’s the scenario that would give wrestling fans this matchup: 

  1. Rashidov wins the special wrestle-in against Alan's champion Kurban SHIRAEV (RUS). 
  2. Rashidov beats the United States’ 2017 65kg world team representative Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the quarterfinals.
  3. Chakaev wins his quarterfinals matchup against Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB). 

2. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) vs. Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUES (CUB) 

This 68kg qualification match between four-time age-level world champion Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) and 2018 U23 world champion Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUES (CUB) is a quarterfinals rematch of the 2018 Bucharest U23 World Championships, where the Cuban wrestler topped the Russian, 5-0. 

Sanchez Rodrigues’ 5-0 quarterfinal win over Velieva, who was named United World Wrestling’s 2018 Female Junior Wrestler of the Year, helped catapult her to the top of the world podium and played a pivotal role in her becoming the first Cuban woman to win a world title in any age group.


Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) will wrestle Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) in a battle of previous world finalists. (Photo: Sachiko HOTAKA) 

3. Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) vs. Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)

This 53kg qualification bout features the pair of previous world silver medalists, Sarah Hildebrandt and Ergenechimeg Sumiya. 

Sarah Hildebrandt is the reigning world runner-up at this 53kg, while Erdenechimeg, a four-time top-10 finisher at the world championships, is a 2013 world runner-up at 51kg. 

This is the first time these world finalists have met in their storied careers. 

#WrestleTirana

UWW Europe Concludes General Assembly in Tirana

By United World Wrestling Press

TIRANA, Albania (April 19) — The United World Wrestling European Council held its General Assembly in Tirana on Sunday, on the eve of the European Championships.

The Assembly was chaired by Europe Council President Karl Martin DITTMANN. It was attended by UWW President Nenad LALOVIC, the Council members as well as Secretary General Carlos ROY. Representatives from 30 National Federations were also registered. 

Dittmann presented the annual report of UWW Europe along with finance, budget and program reports.

Lalovic addressed the Assembly and focused on the aspects of developing wrestling and increasing the visibility of the sport.

“We are trying to be one of the most interesting sport to be followed by spectators on television, social media and our platform where we have achieved good results,” Lalovic said. “We believe that we can do much better and we are focused on that”

From the annual report of European Council, a special report was presented on the promotional program for Women’s Wrestling Europe.

Started in 2023, the project was continued in 2024 and 2025 with 11 countries selected for promotion last year. 

These countries were Austria, Croatia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Switzerland and Sweden.

The postponed project for GBR from 2024 was implemented in 2025.

UWW Europe also developed its own website to achieve better visibility. The new website is - uww-europe.eu.