#WrestleNoviSad

Trio of Russians Make Day Three Finals

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 - 20:06 By Eric Olanowski

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (March 5) – Russia, who trails Georgia by 38 points heading into the third day of wrestling, won all three of their semifinal matches on Tuesday night and inserted their fourth Greco-Roman wrestler into the U23 European finals. 

Alen MIRZOIAN (RUS), Magomed YARBILOV (RUS), and Vaag MARGARIAN (RUS) are the trio of Russians who locked up their spot in the Day 3 finals. The trio will have an opportunity on Wednesday night to match their teammate Islam OPIEV's Day 2 gold-medal performance.

Defending U23 European champion Alen Mirzoian defeated 2017 U23 European bronze medalist Artur POLITAIEV (UKR), 9-4, in the semifinals and will meet Serbia’s Sebastian NAD for the 67kg title. 

At 72kg, Magomed Yarbilov became Russia’s second Day 3 finalist after he won the battle between past junior world bronze medalists and beat Islambek DADOV (AZE), 3-0, in the semifinals.

Yarbilov will wrestle Georgia’s returning U23 European champion Ramaz ZOIDZE in the 72kg gold-medal bout. 

In his opening round matchup, Zoidze exacted revenge on Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR), the man who stole the U23 world title from him a season ago. Zoidze also defeated Hrant KALACHYAN (ARM) and Norway’s Juan AAK on his way to a second consecutive U23 European final.

Russia's third Day 3 finalist is defending U23 European champion Vaag Margarian. Margarian defeated Turkey’s Hasan YILDIRIM (TUR) in the 82kg semifinals and set up a finals date with Hungary’s Zotlan LEVAI. 

Returning champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will wrestle for his second consecutive U23 European title (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The pair of Day 3 gold-medal matches that won’t feature a Russian wrestler will take place at 60kg and 97kg. 

At 60kg, Turkey’s defending U23 European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) scored the impressive 9-0 win over Georgia’s Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI. Kamal will meet Romania’s Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) in the 60kg gold-medal match. 

At 97kg, Finland’s 2018 junior world champion and U23 European bronze medalist Arvi SAVOLAINEN scord the 4-0 shutout win over Turkey’s Ibrahim TIGCI in the semifinals and will take on Giorgi MELIA (GEO) in tomorrow’s gold-medal bout. 

The Day 3 finals begin on Wednesday at 18:00 (local time).

Results  
60kg
GOLD - Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) df. Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR), 2-0
SEMIFINAL - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO), 9-0

67kg
GOLD - Sebastian NAD (SRB) vs. Alen MIRZOIAN (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Sebastian NAD (SRB) df. Alexandru SOLOMON (ROU),6-1
SEMIFINAL - Alen MIRZOIAN (RUS) df. Artur POLITAIEV (UKR), 9-4 

72kg
GOLD - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Magomed YARBILOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Juan AAK (NOR), 12-4 
SEMIFINAL - Magomed YARBILOV (RUS) df. Islambek DADOV (AZE), 3-0 

82kg 
GOLD - Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) vs. Vaag MARGARIAN (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Vaag MARGARIAN (RUS) df. Hasan YILDIRIM (TUR), 3-1
SEMIFINAL - Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) df. Stanislau SHAFARENKA (BLR), 8-0 

97kg 
GOLD - Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) vs. Giorgi MELIA (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Ibrahim TIGCI (TUR), 4-0|
SEMIFINAL - Giorgi MELIA (GEO) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), 7-4

#development

UWW hosts fifth Women in Wrestling Global Forum in Mongolia

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 11:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (October 14) -- The fifth edition of the Women in Wrestling Global Forum 2025 took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from October 7 to 11, bringing together more than 34 women leaders, athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators from 21 countries.

Hosted by the Mongolian Wrestling Federation and the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, the Forum was opened by representatives of the Mongolian Wrestling Federation and the Mongolian National Olympic Committee, including the NOC Vice President Choijgavaa NARAMBAATAR.

The opening session reflected the support of United World Wrestling’s leadership, represented by UWW Vice Presidents Natalia YARIGUINA and Rodica YAKSI, Bureau Members, and the Development team. All the speakers highlighted UWW's commitment to gender equality and leadership education.

"It was a great Forum," Yaksi said. "We have participants from all continents and from around the world. Some were coaches, wrestlers, referees, and some in sports administration. We tried different activities to make every one comfortable."

Guided by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY and educators Rafael GALVA and Edit DOZSA, the Forum offered leadership sessions, practical workshops, and cultural experiences. The participants explored stakeholder engagement, communication styles, sustainability, coaching strategies, and athlete safety.

In a special segment, Mariana DIAZ MUNOZ (MEX) and Marina RUEDA FLORES (ESP) presented "Luchadoras de Iberoamérica," a joint project promoting female empowerment in sport. Olympic medalist and Kyrgyzstan's first world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) shared her journey from being a national pioneer and creating history for Kyrgyzstan. 

The Forum participants visited the Chinggis Khaan Museum and attended a traditional wrestling "Bokh" session in Ulaanbaatar and learned about the origins of wrestling the country.

"The whole program was an amazing experience," Yaksi said. "The biggest achievement of this Forum over the years is that it brings together people of different field who are ready to help each other grow in wrestling."