Webinar

Webinar with President Lalovic on May 11

By United World Wrestling Press

Dear UWW Bureau, Commissions, National Federations members,

Following the current global situation, now is the perfect opportunity for launching the first series of webinars dedicated to topics of current interest and related to the future of our sport in various areas of activities and departments.

We must make the best use of the digital communication platforms during these challenging times in order to update you on important topics and agendas. The webinars shall cover many areas such as the current global situation, the athletes’ _physical preparation, coaches, the Athena system, Arena and more.

The first webinar will take place on the 11th of May at 14:00 Central European time and will be open to all NFs, Bureau and Commission members, etc. I will update you on the effect the pandemic has, or may have, on the future of our sport, competition formats, traveling restrictions, etc.

The webinars are for UWW members with an official email account and the notifications shall be sent in the coming days with the log-in details.

Each session will provide you with insightful information carefully presented and will be overseen by a moderator, and your recommendations for areas of improvement will be taken into account for our sport to stay strong on the Olympic programme and us to endure as one united family.

For any further information, feel free to send your enquiry to

webinars@unitedworldwrestling.org.

We thank you very much for your valuable contribution.

#WrestleBudapest

Sharipov Sets His Sights on Dominating 125kg One Gold at a Time

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) have just spent a couple of hours training on the eve the eve of Budapest Ranking Series. By the end of it, Sharipov has dictated the sparring. The 125kg wrestler clearly has edge over Tazhudinov due to his weight but he clearly looks more physically fit than his compatriot.

The two will step on the mat on Thursday at the Ranking Series tournament where medals will bring them vital ranking points for the World Championships. A year ago, Tazhudinov would have walked into any tournament as the favorite to win. In Budapest, that status has changed.

Sharipov, on the other hand, has quickly become the second best 125kg wrestler in the world and is the firm favorite to win gold on Thursday.

"I won the first ranking series and I want to repeat that result now in Budapest," Sharipov said.

After the official draw, Sharipov will open his campaign against Ulaanbaatar Open winner DINESH (IND) and a likely quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's young star Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). European champion Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) will likely be the semifinal opponent.

Sharipov knows that a good run in Budapest will make him one of the favorites for the World Championships and more opponents will be keeping an eye on him. But the Asian silver medalist is waiting to get to his hands on Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

"As you said, I am now one of the leaders of this weight class so people are learning about me but I am ready," he said. "One of my tough opponents is Zare and when the World Championships comes closer, I will plan and find a way to wrestle him."

For Tazhudinov, it will be an opportunity to get a win back over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who defeated the Bahrain wrestler at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Maintaining that he has fully recovered from his injuries, Tazhudinov is locked in for the tournament and later for the World Championships where he will look to win the title he lost last year.

"My goal is always the same. I come to win and this ranking series is not an exception. We have been through a good camp and the mat will show," Tazhudinov said. "I need to get 100 percent for the World Championships."