Development

Wrestling Enters a New Era in Southern Africa with Namib Storm and SADC Open Championships

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 - 13:57 By United World Wrestling Press

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WINDHOEK, Namibia — July 2025 The Namibian Wrestling Federation (NWF), in partnership with United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity, launched a landmark initiative to boost wrestling development in Southern Africa: the Namib Storm Wrestling Week and SADC Open Championships, held from 30 June to 5 July 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds.

Speaking at the official launch in Windhoek, NWF President Colin Steytler emphasized the significance of this new chapter for the sport:

“This is where everything comes together — grassroots, elite, and development levels. It’s the most important step we’ve taken to date in bringing our strategic goals to life.”

A New Benchmark for Regional Wrestling Development

The week-long event featured two core components:

  • REDT – Namib Storm Training Camp (30 June – 3 July)
    This high-performance camp delivered Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors — a first for Namibia and a major milestone for the region.

“You can’t grow grassroots wrestling without qualified coaches,” Steytler noted.
Coaches and officials from multiple countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mauritius, took part in intensive technical sessions.

  • SADC Open Championships (4 July)
    This tournament gathered elite athletes from Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond — many of whom are continental medallists. Importantly, the SADC Open became the first UWW-rated event in Southern Africa, enabling both athletes and referees to earn international exposure without needing to travel abroad.

“This changes the game,” said Steytler. “We can now compete regionally and still gain global recognition — this saves costs and boosts participation.”

NAMAttendees go through the Level 3 Coaching and Level 2 Refereeing Certification under the guidance of UWW instructors. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Beach Wrestling: Taking the Sport to New Shores

The week concluded on 5 July with a Beach Wrestling showcase, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to accessibility and outreach.

“Beach wrestling will be the only wrestling discipline featured at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,” Steytler reminded. “And we are proud to host Namibia’s first-ever beach wrestling event in Swakopmund on 7 December 2025.”

Beach wrestling, requiring only sand and a rope, offers a practical and inclusive way to expand the sport into rural and underserved communities — a cornerstone of UWW’s vision.

Towards a Self-Sustaining Wrestling Future

The REDT initiative and Namib Storm programme are part of the NWF’s five-year strategy to develop a self-sustainable wrestling ecosystem, bridging the gap between grassroots and elite competition and aiming for future Olympic qualification and medals.

“The Namib Storm Week and SADC Open pull all of our strategic elements together,” said Steytler. “From here, we take what we’ve built back to the regions and expand wrestling further than ever before.”

This event highlights Southern Africa’s growing role in the global wrestling community and reflects UWW’s dedication to regional empowerment, education, and international competition access.

#WrestleBudapest

Sharshenbekov Cuts Down, Rises to Win Gold in Budapest Ranking Series

Sunday, July 19, 2026 - 20:27 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) -- Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) appears to be rounding into form just in time for the World Championships.

After almost two years away from the mat, the Paris 2024 bronze medalist won the 63kg title at the Ulaanbaatar Open. On Sunday in Budapest he returned to his original Olympic weight of 60kg and rolled to another gold medal with a dominant run.

"It has been two years since I was at 60kg," Sharshenbekov said. "There was a break after the Olympics. I feel like I am just beginning to feel it again."

Sharshenbekov did not wrestle in the final after his opponent, Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), forfeited because of an injury. Before that, however, Sharshenbekov was in dominant form.

He opened the day against Dalton ROBERTS (USA) and secured a fall in one minute, throwing Roberts on the mat using underhook. It set the tone for the rest of the day.

In his second bout, Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) offered little resistance in a 10-0 loss. Sharshenbekov earned the first par terre opportunity, turned Aliyev for two points and followed with a four-point throw. In the second period, he added a takedown that Azerbaijan challenged. The call stood, and the unsuccessful challenge gave Sharshenbekov another point.

Against Mahmoud SAAD (EGY) in the quarterfinals, Sharshenbekov built a 2-0 lead with a chasing takedown before extending it to 5-0 with a par terre turn. Just before the break, he circled behind Saad for another takedown to make it 7-0.

He needed only 25 seconds of the second period to complete another technical superiority victory and book a semifinal against world silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB).

Asian champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB), wrestling with a heavily taped left knee, came out aggressively from the opening whistle but could not break through Sharshenbekov's defense. Sharshenbekov countered with ease and scored the opening takedown just 15 seconds into the bout.

Ganiev then limited the damage in par terre, defending Sharshenbekov's turn attempts to keep the deficit at 3-0 heading into the break.

The second period opened with both wrestlers battling for position as Ganiev searched for a takedown. But the relentless pace began to take its toll and after a minute of high-intensity wrestling, a tiring Ganiev surrendered a go-behind to fall further behind.

Ganiev threw everything at Sharshenbekov, working from body locks and underhooks to headlocks and two-on-one ties, but he could not move the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. Sharshenbekov eventually pull his arm out of Ganiev's hold and control Ganiev for another takedown to lead 5-0.

During a late scramble, Ganiev managed two exposure points, but Sharshenbekov immediately spun and came on top, brought Ganiev the mat and secured the fall.

As he prepares for the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September, Sharshenbekov's dominant return to 60kg sent a message to the rest of the field.

"This isn't my peak," he said. "It is merely the beginning. I have plans and goals to prepare even better for the Asian Games, the World Championships and the Olympics. I need to reach an even higher level of fitness for those events."

Szoke Wins 97kg

Alex SZOKE (HUN) gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, defeating Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1, in the 97kg final. In one of the standout performances of the tournament, Szoke combined patience, strength and tactical awareness, scoring from par terre before sealing the victory with a counter takedown.

The final began at a high pace, with both wrestlers battling to secure the first par terre advantage. It was the Hungarian who received the activity point in the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. Szoke then capitalized from par terre with a turn to extend the lead to 3-0.

The second period saw Ermolenko on top but Szoke was at his best defense and did not allow the Russian to score any points. But there was a heart stopping moment for Szoke late in the match when Ermolenko locked Szoke and dragged him towards the zone. But Szoke showed exceptional skills and broke the lock.

Ermolenko earned the par terre advantage in the second period, but Szoke's defense held firm, denying the Russian any scoring opportunity. The home crowd was briefly on edge late in the match when Ermolenko locked up Szoke and drove him toward the edge of the mat. Szoke, however, showed exceptional composure, breaking the lock to escape the danger.

Moments later, Szoke circled behind Ermolenko for a takedown to stretch the lead to 5-1, effectively putting the match out of reach. Ermolenko slammed the mat in frustration as the Hungarian closed out the victory.

Russia Wins 3 Golds

It was not all disappointment for Russia, as its experienced wrestlers claimed three of the six Greco-Roman gold medals on offer Sunday.

European champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) once again showcased the qualities that have made him one of the world's best at 63kg. Whether winning on criteria, scoring when an opening appears or protecting a lead, Emelin has an answer for almost every situation. He displayed all three in a 5-2 victory over Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

Emelin and Kamal were locked in a thrilling contest, with the Russian taking a 2-2 criteria lead. Kamal maintained the pressure and looked set to force a stepout, but Emelin circled behind for a takedown to move ahead 4-2. A stepout in the final minute extended the lead to 5-2, allowing Emelin to close out another Ranking Series title.

The 82kg final was a tactical affair as Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) edged Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1 on criteria, to secure Russia's second gold medal.

Russia's third title came at 130kg, where Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) held on for a 1-1 criteria victory over U20 world champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), quieting the vocal home crowd.

Asian champion Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) added a Ranking Series title to his growing résumé with a comfortable 5-1 win over Brady KOONTZ (USA) in the 55kg final. Botirov set the tone from the opening whistle, earning the first par terre opportunity and scoring two gut-wrench turns for a 5-0 lead.

Koontz received the par terre opportunity in the second period, but Botirov defended it comfortably to seal the victory.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. Brady KOONTZ (USA), 5-1

BRONZE: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) df. LALIT (IND), 18-10
BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df. Max NOWRY (USA), 3-0

60kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Mahmoud SAAD (EGY), 14-2
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 5-3

63kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Sunny KUMAR (IND), 3-1

82kg
GOLD: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1

BRONZE: Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) df. Azimjon SOATULLAEV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Ognjen JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1

BRONZE: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), 1-1
BRONZE: Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) df. Musa EVLOEV (RUS), via inj. def.

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) df. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ), 2-2
BRONZE: Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) df. Aden ATTAO (USA), 3-1