Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! February 19, 2018

By Eric Olanowski

Reviewing United World Wrestling's new documentary, the trio of Gray, Adar, and Weibe at the Klippan Lady Open. Also taking a look Susaki taking out Stadnik and Borrero Molina's insane five-point throw. 

1. Adeline Gray Proves She's Back!  

The Klippan Lady Open ended with a bang as three-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) closed out the tournament by picking up the come from behind win to defeat defending world champions Yasemin ADAR (TUR).

Gray trailed heading into the second period after Adar hit her with a beautiful four-point arm spin, taking the 4-2 lead. When asked about the arm-spin, Gray said “We practiced it in the warm-up. We knew she had a great arm-spin, so kudos to her for hitting it when it mattered.”

In the second period, Gray outscored Adar 7-2 to win the match 9-6 and reclaim her No. 1 spot in the United World Wrestling world rankings.

2. Sacrifice: Inside Cuba's Wrestling Powerhouse

What makes a wrestling nation strong? In Cuba, it's a combination of perseverance, strength ... and more than a little sacrifice. Watch, share and like with your friends! Help the world see the power of international wrestling.

3. Borrero Molina's Insane FIVE!

It's only mid-February, but when United World Wrestling releases our annual awards, we'll have a spot saved for 2016 Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA's (CUB) five-point arm throw from the Granma Cup. 

Molina finished the Granma Cup with a 4-0 record and captured the 67kg gold medal. 

RESULTS: http://uww.io/iXuwz

4. Susaki Squeaks Out Win Over Stadnik 

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) kicked off the finals of the Klippan Open by defeating two-time world and Olympic silver medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE), 2-1.

Susaki trailed nearly the entire match and did not take her first lead until Stadnik stepped out of bounds with15 seconds remaining in the match. This step out gave Susaki the 2-1 lead and eventually sealed her second Klippan Lady Open title in as many years. 

After the match, Susaki said “I was so excited after the match because it was my first win after my December loss. I knew this would be a one exchange match and I capitalized on that one exchange!”

5. Adar Scores Late, Knocks Off Olympic Champ Wiebe

In round one of the 2018 Klippan Lady Open, returning world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) used the go-ahead takedown with short time left to defeat 2016 Olympic champion, Eric Wiebe (CAN), 6-5.

Adar was placed on the shot clock in the first period as she was hit with her second passivity call. Unable to score, Wiebe took the lead on criteria heading into the second period.

In the second period, Adar picked up her first takedown of the match with one minute remaining. Wiebe then took the 5-3 lead after scoring four points off a snatch single to a leg lace. Adar struck with a last-second takedown, earing the 6-5 victory.

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 

Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) celebrates her come from behind win over U23 world runner-up, Braxton STONE (CAN) to win the 65kg bronze medal. 

While training at the ORTC with Kyle Snyder, Taha Akgul (TUR) spends his rest day watching Ohio State University basketball.

#BeachWrestling, #BeachWrestlingWorldSeries

With Dakar 2026 Approaching, UWW Ramps Up Beach Wrestling in Africa

By Vinay Siwach

CASABLANCA, Morocco (July 25) -- With Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games less than 500 days away, United World Wrestling is committed to reinforcing wrestling's presence on the African continent.

As a result, for the first time an African city will host the Beach Wrestling World Series. Casablanca, Morocco will see the third leg of the Beach Wrestling World Series from September 6-7, 2025, at the picturesque Ain Diab beach.

There is more in store for Africa. The final of the Beach Wrestling World Series will be held in Alexandria, Egypt on October 18 and 19, 2025.

UWW is calling for participants. REGISTER HERE!

Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)

The World Series participants will be provided with top-class facilities including five-star hotel boarding, food in hotels and transportation to the competition venue. The conditions will therefore be exceptional for a Beach Wrestling event.

Prior to the World Series, the African Championships in U15, U17 and U20 age-groups will also be held in the same venue on September 4 and 5. All wrestlers who are 18 years or older from the African Championships can take part in the World Series as well.

This is not the first time UWW has stepped up its commitment to Beach Wrestling. Along with UWW Africa, UWW provided technical assistance to African wrestlers last year and has now decided to continue that for the U15 and U17 groups.

UWW reminds all countries that the participation in these tournaments is important as the same wrestlers can be considered with priority for the Youth Olympic Games while allotting the decided quotas for Dakar 2026.

UWW's vision is to develop the younger groups who will be part of the Youth Olympics in Dakar. And it was a step in that direction to start U15 competitions in Beach Wrestling from 2025.

Irina RINGACI (MDA)World champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) competes in Beach Wrestling in Porec, Croatia. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

One of the outcomes of its continued efforts was the participation numbers in the U17 Pan-Am Beach Wrestling Championships in Rio de Janeiro and the U17 Asian Beach Wrestling Championships in Vietnam this year.

The local organizing committee in Rio had to add one more ring to accommodate the participants during the event. At the Asian Championships, India, China, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and other nations participated with full teams.

Similarly, the wrestlers are encouraged to participate in the U17 and U20 World Beach Wrestling Championships in Katerini-Pieria, Greece on September 25 and 26.

Check out beachwrestling.org for all Beach Wrestling News!

UWW's decisions underscore its deep commitment to uplifting and expanding the sport of wrestling across Africa, particularly with the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on the horizon.

For any queries, wrestlers, NFs or organizers can contact -- sports@uww.org.