#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: Greco-Roman bracket reactions

Thursday, March 31, 2022 - 15:23 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 31) -- The final two days of the European Championships will see Greco-Roman wrestling in 10 weight classes. The draws for the same were completed Thursday.

The European Championships is the first competition that has four seeds in each weight class. The seeds are decided according to the United World Wrestling's Ranking system.

Here are the brackets for the 10 Greco-Roman weight classes.

55kg (10 participants)

Seeds
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Fabian SCHMITT (GER)
Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR)

The weight category has former world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) as the top seed and he will be waiting for the winner of Denis MIHAI (ROU) and Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL) in the quarterfinals. If he reaches the semifinal, he will have to face one of Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) or fourth seed Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR).

On the lower side, another world champ Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) is seeded second and he is likely to face U23 European champion Emre MUTLU (TUR) in the quarters. A semifinal against third seed Fabian SCHMITT (GER) will be a treat for the fans.

In rankings, Azizli and Tsurtsumia are ranked third and fourth, respectively, and both have 29000 points each. Both have a chance to be second if they can win at least a bronze medal. Whoever finishes ahead of the other will be ranked higher after the tournament.

60kg (16 participants)

Seeds:
Murad MAMMADOV (AZE)
Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)
Razvan ARNAUT (ROU)
Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU)

A category that has former European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) is guaranteed fireworks. Top seed Mammadov will avoid wrestling second seed Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) until the final but to reach there, he has to go through Daniel BOBILLO VIGIL (ESP), Michal TRACZ (POL) or Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) in quarters, and probably Kamal in the semifinal. But Kamal will have Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) before reaching the semifinal.

If the seeds hold true, the lower side will be the semifinal between Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR) and Gharibyan. But Erik TORBA (HUN) and Nazaryan can pull off the upset.

63kg (13 participants)

Seeds:
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Victor CIOBANU (MDA)

World silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) is seeded number one in the 13-man bracket. He has the 60kg world champion and fourth seed Victor CIOBANU (MDA) on the same side which can make it difficult for him to advance to the final as the two can only meet in the semifinals. Etienne KINSINGER (GER) and Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) are also on the upper side of the bracket.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) are seeded two and three respectively. The two are likely to meet in the semifinal.

67kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO)
Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
Murat FIRAT (TUR)
Morten THORESEN (NOR)

World bronze medalist Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) will wrestle Andreas VETSCH (SUI) in his first bout before a likely quarterfinal against Krisztian VANCZA (HUN). But his toughest test could be number four seed Morten THORESEN (NOR) in the semifinals.

U23 and junior world champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) and Murat FIRAT (TUR) are seeded and can only meet in the semifinals. But to reach there, they have to go through some studs in Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), Dmytro MIROSHNYK (UKR), Sebastian NAD (SRB), Ivo ILIEV (BUL), Mateusz BERNATEK (POL), Christoph BURGER (AUT) and Witalis LAZOVSKI (GER).

72kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU)
Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL)
Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR)
Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)

Lithuania's top seed Kristupas SLEIVA is expected to reach the final from the upper side of the bracket. But a tough semifinal against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) can ruin his plans.

The lower side of the bracket is more stacked as second seed Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) and Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) may meet in the semifinal. But the bracket also has Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) who is wrestling Sahakyan in the first round.

Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Robert FRITSCH (HUN), Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN), Valentin PETIC (MDA), and Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) are also on the same side and can upset any wrestler.

77kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
Viktor NEMES (SRB)
Yunus BASAR (TUR)
Oliver KRUEGER (DEN)

A potential quarterfinal between top Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and 72kg world champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) may light up the European Championships. The winner will not have it easy ever after that. One of Oliver KRUEGER (DEN) or Per OLOFSSON (SWE) likely to meet in the semifinal.

On the lower side, the second seed Viktor NEMES (SRB) has local favorite Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the first round. Third seed Yunus BASAR (TUR) should not find it difficult to reach the semifinals.

82kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Ranet KALJOLA (EST)
Mihail BRADU (MDA)

Going by the results at Oslo World Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, top seed Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) and second seed Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) should reach the final from either side of the bracket.

But trying to stop Huseynov from the top side will be U23 world champion Tamas LEVAI (HUN), junior world and U23 European champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), Karpet CHALAYAN (ARM) and fourth seed Mihail BRADU (MDA).

Akbudak will also have a tough road to the final as he faces Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the first round. Pascal EISELE (GER), Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) and third seed Ranet KALJOLA (EST) also await him.

87kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)
Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)
Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN)
Metehan BASAR (TUR)

Top seed and world champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) will have a chance to avenge his Yasar Dogu loss to Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the quarterfinal in Budapest if he can get past Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) in the first round. Abbasov has Matej MANDIC (CRO) in the first round.

Seeded fourth, Metehan BASAR (TUR) is likely to make the semifinal on the upper side of the bracket.

Second seed Arkadiusz KULYNCZ (POL) and third seed Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) are favorites to reach the semifinals from the lower side of the bracket.

97kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Kiril MILOV (BUL)
Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)
Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU)

The young star and Tokyo Olympic fifth place Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) is seeded number one for this weight class. He will have Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE) in the first round followed the quarterfinal against one of Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO), Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE) and Laokratis KESIDIS (GRE).

Fourth seed Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU) has the chance to reach the semifinal if he can beat Artur OMAROV (CZE) in the first round and one of Ramsin AZIZSIR (GER) or Daniel GASTL (AUT) in the quarterfinal.

From the lower side of the bracket, second seed Kiril MILOV (BUL) and third Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) are expected to reach the semifinals. But Felix BALDAUF (NOR), Michal DYBKA (POL) and Mihail KAJAIA (GEO) stand in their path.

130kg

Seeds
Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
Riza KAYAALP (TUR)
Beka KANDELAKI (AZE)
Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU)

Top seed and Tokyo silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) is the favorite to reach the final from the top side of the bracket. From the lower side, second seed and defending champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will be eyeing his 11th title.

The only problem is third seed Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) who had pinned Kayaalp in Istanbul just a month back. The two can clash in the semifinals if they win all their prior bouts.

Development

Argentina become first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course

Monday, December 2, 2024 - 12:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (December 2) —Argentina has become the first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course, organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity (OS), with the organizational support of the Federación Argentina de Luchas Asociadas (FALA) and the Argentine Olympic Committee (COA). This historic course, held from November 25-29, also stands out as the first-ever Level 3 course conducted in Spanish globally, marking a significant milestone in the development of wrestling coaches in the region.

The course brought together 40 Argentine coaches--including seven women--to enhance their technical and pedagogical skills while embracing a high-performance vision. In addition, Ignacio D'Alessandro (ARG), an international 1S referee and UWW educator, conducted a refereeing clinic, which the participants highly appreciated.

CUBWorld champion and Olympic silver medalist Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG) walks through par terre strategy at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

One of the course's highlights was a technical and practical masterclass delivered by Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), UWW Bureau member and Olympic medalist. Julfalakyan shared advanced strategies and innovative exercises that inspired participants to raise their training standards and adopt new perspectives in their daily coaching routines.

The program covered essential topics such as the profile of an excellent coach, tactical strategies, periodization theory and training methodology, and pedagogy for both grassroots and high-performance levels. This comprehensive approach not only strengthened the attendees' theoretical and practical knowledge but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration.

Raúl Trujillo and Filiberto Delgado, renowned Cuban coaches with a distinguished track record of training Pan-American, World, and Olympic champions, led the main sessions.

CUBLegendary coach Raúl TRUJILLO (CUB) walks through technique during a training session at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"Argentina has tremendous potential. During this course, we focused on technical aspects and strategies to evolve and enhance the sport’s development in the country," said Trujillo, the celebrated coach of Mijaín López, a five-time Olympic champion. "The Americas are growing significantly; while Cuba, the United States, and Canada used to dominate, other nations are now achieving remarkable results at World Championships and the Olympic Games."

David Ochoa, Argentina's National Coach and newly accredited UWW Educator, supported the Cuban experts. Ochoa earned this distinction at the most recent Educators’ Course held in Guatemala just weeks prior, and his involvement exemplified Argentina’s commitment to nurturing local talent in wrestling education.

The course opened with an inauguration ceremony at the Argentine Olympic Committee, attended by key figures such as Fernando Rittner, president of FALA; Sebastián Pérez, Secretary General of FALA; Yuri Maier, UWW Sports and Development Officer; Arsen Julfalakyan, UWW Bureau member; and Cristian Roldán, head of administration and responsible for Olympic Solidarity. The practical and theoretical sessions took place at the National Center for High Performance Sports (CENARD), providing a professional and motivating environment for the coaches.

This course marks a significant step in the growth of wrestling across the continent, underscoring the importance of educational programs to elevate coaches’ technical and pedagogical levels. The certificates awarded, endorsed by UWW and Olympic Solidarity, symbolize not only recognition for the participants' efforts but also a commitment to developing the sport in Argentina and Latin America.

The success of this event opens the door to replicating this model in other countries across the continent, contributing to the global advancement of wrestling.