Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! September 25, 2018

Tuesday, September 25, 2018 - 12:35 By Eric Olanowski

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Taking a look at the 2019 World Championship host city and the team results from the 2018 Junior World Championships. Also discussing two stars who were forced to pull out of the #Budapest2018 World Championships after suffering recent injuries.  

1. Astana to Host 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships
United World Wrestling has announced the city of Astana will host the 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships September 14-22 at the Daulet Arena.

The Kazakhstan capital city has hosted several United World Wrestling events in recent years, including the 2014 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships, 2016 Asian Olympic Qualifier, and the 2018 Grappling World Championships.

Competition to host the championships was intense, as the 2019 world championships will serve as the first qualification event for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The top six finishers in each Olympic weight category in Astana will secure an Olympic qualification for their nation, with the remaining qualification spots earned at continental competitions and a “Last Chance Qualifier” during the 2020 competition calendar.

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Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (RUS) beat  Zachery Samuel ELAM (USA), 11-0 to win the 97kg gold medal at the Junior World Championships. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne)

2. Russia Wins Five Gold Medals and Junior World Team Title
Russia closed out the 2018 Junior World Championships winning the freestyle team title on the backs of five individual gold medals. Heading into the final day of wrestling, the Russian Federation led the second-place United States by 31 points and finished 67 points ahead of the returning champions. 

Russia grabbed a trio of gold medals on the sixth day of competition and seized championships from Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) and Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) on the seventh and final day of wrestling at Trnava’s City Sports Hall.

Overall, Russia capped off the 2018 Junior World Championships with seven medalists. In addition to their five gold medals, they also won a silver and bronze medal. Though they had seven medalists a year ago, there five gold medals are an improvement from last year’s four gold medals. 

Team Scores 
GOLD – Russia (182 points)
SILVER – United States (115 points)
BRONZE –  Iran (98 points)
Fourth – Azerbaijan (91 points)
Fifth – India (84 points)

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Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) flexes after scoring the 12technicalcal superiority victory over Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO) in the Greco-Roman 72kg finals. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

3. Iran Wins Greco-Roman Team Title, Komarov Wins Fourth World Gold
Iran, with four gold medalists and 136 points wrapped up the Greco-Roman team title at the 2018 Trnava Junior World Championships, four points ahead of second-place Russia. 

Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), with his left shoulder heavily taped, claimed back-to-back junior titles, making it his third overall age-level world championship. 

Meanwhile, Russia, led by Aleksandr KOMAROV who earned his fourth age-level world title finished in second place with 131 points. 

Komarov shutout out Andrew BERREYESA (USA) 10-0 in the 77kg finals to reach the top of the junior world podium for the second straight year. 

“These World Championships were the toughest yet. But it a great learning experience, and it feels good to win again,” said Komarov. “Now, my attention turns toward the senior-level and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.” 

Team Scores
GOLD - Iran - (136 points)
SILVER- Russia (131 points)
BRONZE - Armenia (83 points)
Fourth - Turkey (79 points) 
Fifth - India  (73 points)

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In the 50kg finals, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) beat Ellen RIESTERER (GER) to win her fifth world title in three different age groups. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne)

4. Japanese Women Win Six Golds, World Team Title 
For the eighth straight year, Japan left the Junior World Championships with the women’s wrestling team title. The most dominant women’s wrestling nation in the world finished 55 points ahead of second place Russia, and 88 points ahead of third place China. 

Japan closed out the fifth day of competition with four additional gold medals, bringing their tournament total to six overall individual champions. This is the fifth straight year that Japan has finished the Junior World Championships with at least four gold medalists. It’s also the most golds they’ve won since winning six golds at the 2016 Junior World Championships. 

They also won a silver and three bronze medals. In total, Japan medaled in all ten women’s wrestling weight classes. 

One of the biggest notes from women's wrestling was Japan's 19-year-old superstar Yui SUSAKI (JPN) winning her fifth straight world title across three age divisions, confirming her as one of the best wrestlers in the world, regardless of age, gender or style. 

Susaki’s next competition will be October’s senior-level World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Also of note, Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) won her fourth age-level world championship. Larroque didn't give up an offensive point the entire tournament, outscoring her Junior World Championship opponents 33-0, including an overwhelming 6-0 finals win over Russia's Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS). 

​​​​​​Team Scores 
GOLD - Japan (215 points)
SILVER – Russia (160 points)
BRONZE – China (127 points)
Fourth – Ukraine (73 points)
Fifth – Mongolia (67 points)

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Roman VLASOV (RUS) defeated Viktor NEMES (SRB), 5-1 to win the 2018 European gold medal. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

5. Vlasov and Phogat to Miss #Budapest2018 World Championships 
Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and Roman VLASOV (RUS) recently suffered injuries and have been forced to pull out of the #Budapest2018 World Championships. 

According to Indian journalist Vinay Siwach, Phogat, the 24-year old rising Indian star tore ligaments in her elbow while practice Friday,  trying to finish a takedown against training partner Pooja DHANDA (IND). The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medalist was expected to compete for a medal in women's wrestling at 50kg. 

Another blow to the #Budapest2018 entry list came when two-time Olympic champion Roman Vlasov announced that he recently underwent surgery for a right knee injury. Vlasov, the four-time world and Olympic champion and reigning European champion was registered at GR 77kg. 

Click HERE for full Scroll.in's full release on Phogat

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 

1. "Difficulties will not break me." 

2. "The 2018 #beach#wrestling #world #championships will be held in #sarigerme #turkey #beachwrestling"

3. Respect.

4. Big Move Day 6 from the Junior World Championships - TRNAVA 2018

5. Photo from the Freestyle Finals. - #uww #wrestling

#WrestleIstanbul

Turkiye hosts More Than Medals camp following U17 World Championships

Monday, September 11, 2023 - 19:33 By United World Wrestling Press

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (September 11) --- The More than Medals World 2023 was held in Istanbul, Turkiye from August 7th to 12th, 2023. Organized by the United World Wrestling Development Department and the Turkish Wrestling Federation, the program aimed to enhance the skills of young wrestlers from developing countries. To achieve this, the program provided the participants with top coaches and experts from around the world, who shared their knowledge and experience with them.

The program was a great success, with nearly 60 participants from 17 countries across Asia, America, Europe, and Africa attending. The participants included both athletes and coaches who stayed after the U17 World Championships with the goal of improving their skills and knowledge. During the program, they had the opportunity to attend training sessions where they learned new techniques and strategies. Additionally, an anti-doping workshop was held for the participants. This program demonstrates the power of sports to unite people and foster friendship and understanding among nations.

The participants were accommodated in the Pullman Istanbul Hotel & Convention Center, located in Yenibosna Merkez Mahallesi, Bahcelievler, Istanbul, Turkiye. All training sessions and activities were also held in this hotel. The UWW development team, led by Yuri MAIER (ARG) and Vincent AKA (FRA/CIV), was responsible for the project. Their extensive experience in organizing these types of events over the years made the process very smooth.

TURVincent AKA leads a training session at the 2023 More Than Medals camp in Istanbul. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Vincent AKA was in charge of the organization of the training sessions. The coaches from the different nations present were invited to conduct their own training sessions, providing athletes with a diverse range of training styles and techniques to learn from. This not only allowed for a more comprehensive learning experience but also fostered a sense of unity and cross-cultural exchange among the participants. The training sessions were a great opportunity for these young athletes to expand their knowledge and skills and to form lasting connections with individuals from different parts of the world.

During the Istanbul city tour, athletes enjoyed a ferry ride that showcased the beautiful surroundings and explored the Asian side of Istanbul, the Golden Horn, and iconic landmarks like the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet. They also visited the impressive Hagia Sophia, which taught them about its rich history and cultural significance. Overall, the city tour provided a unique insight into Istanbul's culture and past.

The success of this program was partly due to the good relationship and affinity with the local federation. The Turkish Wrestling Federation was very collaborative and provided everything needed to have a great event. All the participants were satisfied with the development of the activities.

Year after year, More Than Medals continues to prove that it is an excellent resource for young wrestlers from developing countries. The program not only provides them with top coaching and training opportunities, but it also promotes cross-cultural exchange and understanding among nations. The success of the More than Medals World 2023 program is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and promote friendship and understanding across borders.