European Games

World No.1's Beleniuk, Semenov Among Greco Semifinalists at European Games

Saturday, June 29, 2019 - 11:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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MINSK, Belarus (June 29) - World No.1 Greco-Roman wrestlers Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) and Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) were among the dozen wrestlers to reach the semifinals of the European Games in Greco-Roman on Saturday at the Minsk Sports Palace. 

Beleniuk, a 2015 world champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, opened his tournament at 87kg with a tough test against 2017 world champion Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM). The Armenian scored first and led 1-0 at the break, but Beleniuk scored five unanswered points in the second period to win 5-1. He then claimed a 9-1 technical superiority over Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL). Beleniuk will face world No.6 Radzik KULIYEU (BLR) in the semifinals.

Also at 87kg, two-time U23 world medalist Islam ABBASOV (AZE) topped two-time world bronze medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) in the quarterfinals. His semifinal opponent will be Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), who advanced to the semifinals by beating Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS). Ozdoev knocked off two-time returning world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) 5-0 in a preliminary match, scoring all five of his points in the opening period.

Semenov, a returning world champion and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, opened with a 2-0 victory over Jello KRAHMER (GER) before defeating U23 world silver medalist Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) 7-1 in the quarterfinals. He will now meet Kiryl HRYSHCHANKA (BLR), one of three semifinalists for Belarus. The other semifinal at 130kg pits world No.7 Oskar MARVIK (NOR) against European silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO).

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), a 2016 Olympic champion and three-time world champion, had to come from behind in each of his first two matches on Saturday to reach the semifinals at 97kg. In his first match, Aleksanyan gave up the first point against 2017 world bronze medalist Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO), but came back to win 2-1. In the quarterfinals, Daniel GASTL (AUT) took a 1-0 lead on Aleksanyan to the break. The 27-year-old Armenian came back with three unanswered points in the second period to win 3-1. His semifinal opponent will be two-time U23 world champion Aleksandr GOLOVIN (RUS). 

Olympic bronze medalist Cenk ILDEM (TUR) moved into the semifinals at 97kg with a 7-5 victory over world No.5 Mihail KAJALA (SRB). Ildem will face Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) in the semifinals.

Saturday's semifinal matches are scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time.

SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS

87kg
SEMIFINAL - Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) vs. Islam ABBASOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Radzik KULIYEU (BLR) vs. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)

97kg
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) vs. Cenk ILDEM (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Aleksandr GOLOVIN (RUS) vs. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)

130kg
SEMIFINAL - Kiryl HRYSHCHANKA (BLR) vs. Sergey SEMENOV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) vs. Oskar MARVIK (NOR)
 

#development

Wrestling with Excellence: Armenia upskills coaches and referees

Friday, April 18, 2025 - 11:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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YEREVAN, Armenia (April 18) -- Armenia Wrestling Federation organized a coaching and referee course during its national championships with an aim to improve in respective fields. The course was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling

The courses, organized for the second time by Armenia, took place between March 22-31 at the Olympic Centre in Yerevan. The federation had previously organized a Level 1 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course.

The referee course was organized before the national championships and began on March 22.  The Level 2 course -- Referee Foundations Course -- was led by Alexey BAZULIN.

With 19 referee participants, the first three days of the course focused on the theoretical content and included some practice on the mat. All participants used the acquired skilled practically during the three days during the championships.

"The seminar participants worked as one team, helping each other and were involved in the work process, analyzing and applying the knowledge gained," Bazulin said.

Following the competition, the referees and coaches worked together in a joint session led by both UWW Educators. The Level 2 coaching course began on March 27 and was led by Sergei KOVALENKO.

The course had 14 participants, who covered numerous practice planning concepts in both theoretical and practical sessions. The seminar participants expressed the opinion that such seminars should be held regularly. This provides an opportunity to consolidate previously acquired knowledge, learn something new, share experiences, and analyze advanced teaching methods and other activities.