#WrestleIstanbul

WATCH: Ten Freestyle Finals from #WrestleIstanbul

By United World Wrestling Press

ISTANBUL, Turkey (March 5) -- The freestyle competition at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event saw Turkey win the team title with three gold medals.

Kyrgyzstan finished second while the USA was third in the team rankings in Istanbul.

Five-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) was once again a gold winner at a Ranking Series event while Taha AKGUL (TUR) won the 125kg after bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics and World Championships.

GOLD: 57kg - Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) vs Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)

 

GOLD: 61kg - Ravi KUMAR (IND) vs Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)

 

GOLD: 65kg - Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) vs Shamil MAMEDOV (RWF)

 

GOLD: 70kg - James GREEN (USA) vs Amir YAZDANI (IRI)

 

GOLD: 74kg - Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR) vs Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)

 

GOLD: 79kg - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs Chance MARSTELLER (USA)

 

GOLD: 86kg - Osman GOCEN (TUR) vs Fatih ERDIN (TUR)

 

GOLD: 92kg - Ahmad BAZRIGHALEH (IRI) vs Erhan YAYLACI (TUR)

 

GOLD: 97kg - Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) vs Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI)

 

GOLD: 125kg - Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)

#development

Learn, Wrestle, Use youth camp organized in Croatia

By United World Wrestling Press

POREC, Croatia (May 6) -- The Croatian Wrestling Federation, in cooperation with United World Wrestling and the Croatian School Sports Federation, successfully organized an international youth wrestling camp titled “Learn, Wrestle, Use”, held from April 14 to 19, 2025, in the renowned wrestling hub of sunny Porec.

The camp brought together 300 young athletes from four European countries -- Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany -- in the U13, U15 and U17 age groups. In addition to intensive wrestling training, the camp included targeted educational sessions of learning English, proper nutrition, and digital safety, particularly regarding responsible behavior on social media.

This innovative project stands out for its integrated approach, combining athletic preparation with personal development. Through a balance of physical training and structured education, “Learn, Wrestle, Use” supports the holistic — both physical and psychological — development of young athletes. It encourages not only sporting excellence, but also intercultural exchange, communication skills, and lifelong healthy habits.

The camp was led by a team of distinguished Croatian coaches: Hrvoje SAVUK (U13 Boys Group), Eugen JAKOVLJEVIC, head coach of the Croatian U15 boys national team (U15 & U17 Boys Groups), and Women’s Wrestling national team coaches Dinko KREMIC and Nenad GREZINA (Girls Group). A total of 30 experienced coaches participated in the delivery of the training and educational components.

This international initiative is a strong example of how youth sport can go beyond competition — creating space for learning, connection, and empowerment across borders.