European Games

World No.1's Sadulaev, Cherkasova Cruise into Semifinals at European Games

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 11:22 By United World Wrestling Press

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MINSK, Belarus (June 26) - World No. 1's Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) cruised into the semifinals of the European Games on Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus. 

Sadulaev, a 2016 Olympic champion and three-time world champion, was unscored upon in his first two matches at 97kg. He opened his tournament with a first-period 11-0 technical superiority over Mihaly SZABO (HUN). He then won 6-0 over Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) in the quarterfinals. Sadulaev's semifinal opponent will be European silver medalist Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), ranked No.8 in the world. 

The semifinal on the bottom side of the 97kg bracket will pit Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) against Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR). Gadzhiyev, a European bronze medalist and past junior world champion, defeated world No.4 Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) 7-3. Mchedlidze edged Nicolai CEBAN (MDA) 6-5 in the quarterfinals. 

Cherkasova, a returning world champion and 2019 European champion, won both of her matches in the first session by technical superiority at 68kg. She shut out Sara DA COL (ITA) 10-0 in her first match before picking up a 12-2 win in the quarterfinals over Agnieszka WIESZCZEK (POL). Cherkasova will battle two-time European champion Anastasiia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS) in the semifinals. Two-time world bronze medalist Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) and Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) will face off in the other semifinal at 68kg. 

Three past world medalists, including two world champions, reached the semifinals at 65kg in freestyle. Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI, a 2016 Olympic champion and 2015 world champion, topped Andrei PERPELITSA (MDA) 4-1 in the quarterfinals. He will face world No.3 Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) in the semifinals. Chakaev, a two-time world bronze medalist, outscored his two opponents in the opening session by a combined score of 16-1. 

Three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) trailed 5-2 after the opening period of his quarterfinal match against George KOLIEV (BLR), but came back to win 7-5. He will meet Hor OHANNESIAN (UKR) in the semifinals. 

At 53kg in women's wrestling, Nina HEMMER (GER) edged two-time world champion Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) 7-6 in the quarterfinals. Kaladzinskaya led 4-1 after the opening period, but the 26-year-old German battled back to win. Hemmer will face Olympic bronze medalist and seven-time world medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) in the semifinals. 

Mattsson, a 2015 European Games champion, opened her tournament by defeating Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) 12-4 before claiming a 10-0 technical superiority in the quarterfinals against Iulia LEORDA (MDA). 

Two-time European champion Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) will face Yulia KHAVALDZHY (UKR) in the other semifinal at 53kg. 

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

SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS

Freestyle 

65kg
SEMIFINAL - Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) vs. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Hor OHANNESIAN (UKR) vs. Haji ALIYEV (AZE)

97kg
SEMIFINAL - Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) vs. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) vs. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR)

Women's Wrestling

53kg
SEMIFINAL - Nina HEMMER (GER) vs. Sofia MATTSSON (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) vs. Yulia KHAVALDZHY (UKR)

68kg
SEMIFINAL - Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) vs. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT)
SEMIFINAL - Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) vs. Anastasiia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS)
 

#development, #Anti-Doping

UWW, ITA deliver anti-doping education at World Championships camp

Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 11:30 By United World Wrestling Press

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POREC, Croatia (September 11) -- The United World Wrestling recently hosted a successful on-site Anti-Doping education event in collaboration with the International Testing Agency at the World Championships acclimatization camp in Poreč.

This marked the first time UWW partnered with ITA to deliver education directly at a training camp. A dedicated booth was set up on September 8 and 9 during the camp, and presentation sessions, led by ITA educator Anita HARTUNG, were held during the evenings of both days.

"The camp offered a great opportunity to connect with athletes ahead of their major competition," Hartung said. "Many stopped by the Clean Sport booth before and after training, showing genuine interest and openness in discussing the fundamentals of Anti-Doping.

"It was inspiring to be surrounded by such a motivated athlete community and support them in their sporting journey."

The sessions provided athletes with in-depth knowledge about Anti-Doping rules, safe supplement use, and ethical sporting practices.

Two dedicated presentation sessions explored key topics, including athletes’ rights and responsibilities, how to check medications, Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and the risks associated with supplement use.

Holding the sessions during the acclimatization period, rather than the competition phase, allowed athletes to engage in a more relaxed environment and fully focus on learning.

CRO

"These are some of the best wrestlers in the world, and thanks to the collaboration with ITA, they are better informed,” Carlos ROY, UWW Secretary General, said. "Education on Anti-Doping protects our sport, promotes fair competition, and ensures our athletes can perform at their best with confidence."

The initiative reflects UWW’s ongoing commitment to clean sport and athlete support. By equipping wrestlers with knowledge and tools to make informed choices, UWW and ITA aim to strengthen integrity in wrestling while fostering a culture of safe and fair competition.

The Anti-Doping education sessions are part of a broader effort by UWW to provide athletes with continuous learning opportunities on the importance of competing clean, complementing existing regulations and testing programs.

With the World Championships on the horizon, these activities ensure that athletes are not only physically and technically prepared but also well-informed about Anti-Doping practices, reinforcing the values of integrity, fairness, and excellence in wrestling.