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)
 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 12:45 By United World Wrestling Press

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.